alopecia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Medical/Technical
Quick answer
What does “alopecia” mean?
The partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows; hair loss.
A medical condition characterized by hair loss, which can be temporary or permanent, and can affect the scalp or the entire body. Types include androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss), alopecia areata (autoimmune patchy hair loss), and others.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical; both varieties use it as a formal/medical term.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to technical/medical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “alopecia” in a Sentence
Patient + suffer from + alopeciaTreatment + for + alopeciaDiagnosis + of + alopeciaCause + of + alopeciaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alopecia” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The alopecic patches were clearly visible.
- He sought advice for his alopecic condition.
American English
- The patient presented with alopecic areas on the scalp.
- Alopecic changes were noted in the biopsy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical or cosmetic industry contexts (e.g., 'The company is developing a new drug for alopecia.')
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and dermatology papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Uncommon; 'hair loss' or 'going bald' are preferred in casual speech.
Technical
The standard term in dermatology, trichology, and medical diagnostics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alopecia”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alopecia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alopecia”
- Pronouncing it as /æl.əʊˈpek.i.ə/ (incorrect stress).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He alopeciated').
- Confusing 'alopecia' (condition) with 'alopecic' (adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common form of alopecia, but 'alopecia' is the umbrella term for all hair loss conditions.
It depends on the type. Some forms, like certain drug-induced or temporary stress-related alopecia, can reverse. Others, like scarring alopecia, may be permanent, but treatments can manage symptoms or promote regrowth where possible.
No, alopecia is not contagious. It is often autoimmune, genetic, or related to other internal factors.
Alopecia areata involves patchy hair loss, often on the scalp. Alopecia totalis is a more advanced form resulting in the complete loss of all hair on the scalp.
The partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows.
Alopecia is usually formal/medical/technical in register.
Alopecia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæl.əˈpiː.ʃə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæl.əˈpiː.ʃə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A lop' (as if cutting off) + 'ecia' (sounds like 'a piece of' hair) -> 'a lop of hair' is gone.
Conceptual Metaphor
Hair loss as an invasion/attack (e.g., 'The alopecia attacked his scalp.') or as a deficiency/lack.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a specific type of alopecia?