Tumor: meaning, definitions and examples

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tumor

[ ˈtjuːmər ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical condition

A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that may be benign or malignant. It can develop in various parts of the body, such as the brain, breast, or lungs.

Synonyms

growth, lump, mass.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tumor	Used in a medical context to describe an abnormal mass of tissue. It can be benign or malignant. Often used by healthcare professionals or in medical literature. The doctor told her that the tumor was benign and not life-threatening.
growth	General term that can refer to any new formation of tissue in the body. Can be used in both medical and non-medical situations. It does not necessarily imply something harmful. She noticed a strange growth on her arm and decided to see a doctor.
mass	Typically used in a medical context to describe a larger, unidentified body of tissue. It can be used when the nature of the tissue is not yet determined. Often used in diagnostic settings. The ultrasound revealed a mass in her abdomen that needed further testing.
lump	Commonly used in everyday speech to describe a small, localized swelling or bump that can be felt under the skin. It is usually non-specific and can be used to describe both benign and serious conditions. He found a lump on his neck and was advised to get it checked.

Examples of usage

A biopsy is often performed to determine if a tumor is cancerous.
She was diagnosed with a benign tumor in her thyroid gland.
The doctor recommended surgery to remove the tumor.
The presence of a tumor can cause symptoms such as pain or swelling.
If left untreated, a tumor can grow and spread to other parts of the body.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

figurative use

In a figurative sense, a tumor can refer to something harmful or unpleasant that is growing and spreading rapidly.

Synonyms

detriment, issue, problem.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tumor	This term is used in a medical context to refer to an abnormal growth of tissue. The doctor diagnosed her with a benign tumor. They found a small tumor during the scan.
problem	Used for any situation that needs to be dealt with or solved, often less formal than 'issue'. We have a problem with our internet connection. Her biggest problem is time management.
issue	A broad term used to refer to a subject or problem that is often discussed or debated. We need to address the issue of climate change. There was an issue with the software update.
detriment	Used to describe something that causes damage or harm, often more formal and serious. Smoking is a detriment to your health. He continued his work to the detriment of his family life.

Examples of usage

The corruption in the organization was like a tumor that needed to be removed.
The toxic relationship was like a tumor slowly eating away at her happiness.

Translations

Translations of the word "tumor" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tumor

🇮🇳 ट्यूमर

🇩🇪 Tumor

🇮🇩 tumor

🇺🇦 пухлина

🇵🇱 guz

🇯🇵 腫瘍 (しゅよう)

🇫🇷 tumeur

🇪🇸 tumor

🇹🇷 tümör

🇰🇷 종양 (jong-yang)

🇸🇦 ورم (waram)

🇨🇿 nádor

🇸🇰 nádor

🇨🇳 肿瘤 (zhǒngliú)

🇸🇮 tumor

🇮🇸 æxli

🇰🇿 ісікті

🇬🇪 სიმსივნე (simsivne)

🇦🇿 şiş

🇲🇽 tumor

Etymology

The word 'tumor' originated from the Latin word 'tumor' meaning 'swelling' or 'puffiness'. It was first used in English in the 15th century to describe a swelling or growth in the body. Over time, the term became more commonly associated with abnormal growths, whether benign or malignant, in medical contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,702, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3699 heated
3700 speaker
3701 tiny
3702 tumor
3703 initiated
3704 demonstration
3705 curriculum
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