anticholinergic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “anticholinergic” mean?
A substance that blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the nervous system.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A substance that blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the nervous system.
Pertaining to or having the effect of inhibiting the action of acetylcholine, leading to reduced secretions, smooth muscle relaxation, and effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation. Also used as a noun for such substances.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Both regions use the term identically in medical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both UK and US English, confined to medical and scientific discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “anticholinergic” in a Sentence
The drug has anticholinergic effects.This substance acts as an anticholinergic.Patients experienced anticholinergic side effects.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anticholinergic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The consultant warned of the drug's anticholinergic properties.
- Elderly patients are more susceptible to anticholinergic burden.
American English
- The physician noted significant anticholinergic effects.
- Avoid this medication due to its high anticholinergic activity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical company reports or drug marketing materials.
Academic
Common in medical, pharmacological, and neuroscience research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Standard term in clinical medicine, pharmacy, and toxicology for describing drug actions and side effects.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anticholinergic”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anticholinergic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anticholinergic”
- Misspelling as 'anticholingeric' or 'anticholenergic'.
- Using it as a general term for any side effect, rather than specifically for effects mediated by blocking acetylcholine.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. As an adjective, it describes a property (e.g., anticholinergic effects). As a noun, it refers to a substance with that property (e.g., This drug is an anticholinergic).
Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, confusion (especially in the elderly), and increased heart rate.
Pharmacology, neurology, psychiatry, geriatrics, urology (for overactive bladder treatments), and anaesthesiology.
Yes, some older antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), certain sleep aids, and some medications for motion sickness have anticholinergic properties.
A substance that blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the nervous system.
Anticholinergic is usually technical/medical in register.
Anticholinergic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌantɪˌkəʊlɪˈnɜːdʒɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæntiˌkoʊlɪˈnɜːrdʒɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'ANTI-CHOLIN-ergic': It works AGAINST (anti) acetylcholine (cholin) in the nervous system (ergic).
Conceptual Metaphor
BLOCKING AGENT / DRYING AGENT (metaphorically blocks signals and dries up secretions).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary mechanism of an anticholinergic substance?