alopecia areata: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialised/Technical)Formal, Technical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “alopecia areata” mean?
An autoimmune condition causing sudden, patchy hair loss on the scalp or body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An autoimmune condition causing sudden, patchy hair loss on the scalp or body.
A medical disorder characterised by unpredictable, non-scarring, often coin-shaped hair loss from the scalp, beard, or other areas, due to the immune system attacking hair follicles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in the term itself. Pronunciations differ. Spelling remains the same.
Connotations
Identical technical/medical connotations. In general discourse, both varieties use it similarly.
Frequency
Equally low in general discourse. Equally high in dermatological contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “alopecia areata” in a Sentence
[Patient] has/develops/is diagnosed with alopecia areata.[Alopecia areata] causes/presents as [symptom].The doctor treated the [alopecia areata] with [treatment].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alopecia areata” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He has an alopecia areata diagnosis.
- The alopecia areata patches were clearly visible.
American English
- She received an alopecia areata diagnosis.
- The alopecia areata flare-up was sudden.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in pharmaceutical/health insurance contexts discussing treatments or coverage.
Academic
Common in medical and biological research papers, dermatology textbooks, and health sciences.
Everyday
Low. Used when discussing specific health conditions, often in support groups or personal health narratives.
Technical
The primary register. Standard term in clinical medicine, dermatology, patient notes, and medical communications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alopecia areata”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alopecia areata”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alopecia areata”
- Mispronouncing 'areata' as 'areata' with a hard 't' (it's often /tə/).
- Incorrectly pluralising it as 'alopecias areata'.
- Using it as a general term for all hair loss (it is a specific subtype).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition and is not contagious.
Hair can regrow spontaneously, but the course is unpredictable, and regrowth may be white or fine initially.
Alopecia areata is autoimmune and causes patchy loss, while male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is genetic and follows a predictable pattern of recession and thinning.
Yes, treatments like corticosteroid injections, topical immunotherapy, and newer systemic medications (e.g., JAK inhibitors) can be effective, but there is no universal cure.
An autoimmune condition causing sudden, patchy hair loss on the scalp or body.
Alopecia areata is usually formal, technical, medical in register.
Alopecia areata: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæl.əˈpiː.ʃə ˌeə.riˈɑː.tə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæl.oʊˈpiː.ʃə ˌɛr.iˈeɪ.ṭə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Alopecia AREA-ta' - hair loss that happens in specific AREAs or patches.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A BATTLEFIELD (immune system attacks follicles). HAIR LOSS IS AN INVASION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of alopecia areata?