Inflammation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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inflammation

[ˌɪn.fləˈmeɪ.ʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical condition

Inflammation is a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.

Synonyms

irritation, redness, soreness, swelling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inflammation	Medical term used to describe a condition where part of the body becomes red, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection. The doctor diagnosed her with joint inflammation, which is causing her severe pain
swelling	Refers to an increase in size of a body part due to accumulation of fluid or inflammation. It is often noticeable and sometimes indicative of an underlying issue. The swelling in his ankle made it difficult to walk She noticed a slight swelling around the insect bite
redness	Describes the appearance of the skin when it turns red, usually due to increased blood flow to that area. It is often used for external observations. She experienced redness on her cheeks after being out in the cold
soreness	Describes a feeling of pain or discomfort in the muscles or joints, often after overuse or injury, and usually implies a degree of tenderness rather than severe pain. After the long hike, he felt soreness in his legs She complained of soreness in her throat
irritation	Used to describe mild or temporary discomfort or annoyance, often caused by something external like chemicals or friction. It can also refer to emotional annoyance. His skin showed signs of irritation after using the new soap The constant noise from the construction was a source of irritation for the residents

Examples of usage

The doctor prescribed anti-inflammatory medication for the inflammation in my knee.
After the surgery, there was some inflammation around the wound.
She experienced inflammation in her throat due to a viral infection.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

general context

Inflammation can also refer to a state of unrest or turmoil, both in physical and metaphorical senses.

Synonyms

agitation, disorder, turmoil, unrest.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inflammation	Medical context, referring to a physical condition where part of the body becomes red, swollen, and often painful. She took medicine to reduce the inflammation in her knee. The doctor diagnosed him with inflammation of the lungs.
agitation	Emotional or psychological context, describing a state of nervousness or excitement. He felt a deep sense of agitation before the exam. Her constant agitation made it hard for her to focus.
unrest	Social or political context, describing a situation where people are unhappy or protest against something. The country has been experiencing political unrest for months. There was a lot of unrest among the workers due to low wages.
turmoil	General context, describing a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty. The company went through a period of great turmoil during the merger. His mind was in turmoil after hearing the news.
disorder	Medical or organizational context, referring to a disruption of normal physical or mental functions, or a lack of order. She was diagnosed with an eating disorder. The room was in complete disorder after the party.

Examples of usage

The political speech sparked an inflammation of emotions among the crowd.
The controversial decision led to an inflammation of tensions between the two countries.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'inflammation'

The word 'inflammation' originates from the Latin word 'inflammatio,' which means 'a setting on fire.' The concept of inflammation has been recognized since ancient times, with early medical texts describing the signs and symptoms associated with the condition. Over the centuries, research has deepened our understanding of inflammation, revealing its crucial role in the body's immune response to injury and infection.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,932 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5929 noting
5930 critic
5931 declaring
5932 inflammation
5933 cavalry
5934 conductivity
5935 swing
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