anhidrosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “anhidrosis” mean?
A medical condition characterized by the inability to sweat normally.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical condition characterized by the inability to sweat normally.
The absence or significant reduction of sweating, which can be localized or generalized and may lead to overheating.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Purely clinical/medical in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse; used almost exclusively by healthcare professionals.
Grammar
How to Use “anhidrosis” in a Sentence
Patient presents with anhidrosis.Anhidrosis results from nerve damage.The medication can cause anhidrosis.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anhidrosis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The anhidrotic patient required careful monitoring in the heatwave.
American English
- An anhidrotic condition can be dangerous during strenuous exercise.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in medical and physiological research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in dermatology, neurology, and endocrinology for describing sweat gland dysfunction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anhidrosis”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anhidrosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anhidrosis”
- Misspelling as 'anhydrosis' (confusion with 'hydro' vs. 'hidro').
- Using it to describe temporary lack of sweat due to dehydration.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Anhidrosis is a specific medical dysfunction of sweat glands. Dry skin (xerosis) is a different condition, though they can sometimes co-occur.
Treatment depends on the cause. Some forms are permanent (e.g., congenital), while others caused by medication or temporary illness may be reversible.
Anhidrosis technically means a complete absence of sweating. Hypohidrosis means a reduced ability to sweat. In clinical practice, the terms are often used interchangeably.
No. It is a highly specialized medical term unknown to most general English speakers outside of healthcare contexts.
A medical condition characterized by the inability to sweat normally.
Anhidrosis is usually technical/medical in register.
Anhidrosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.hɪˈdrəʊ.sɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.haɪˈdroʊ.sɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AN' (without) + 'HIDR' (like 'hidrate' or 'hydro' for water) + 'OSIS' (condition) = a condition without water/sweat.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A THERMOSTAT (dysfunction in cooling system).
Practice
Quiz
Anhidrosis is primarily a concern because it impairs the body's ability to: