arrhythmia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialist/medical)Formal, Technical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “arrhythmia” mean?
An irregular, abnormal, or absent heartbeat, deviating from the normal sinus rhythm.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An irregular, abnormal, or absent heartbeat, deviating from the normal sinus rhythm.
Any deviation from a regular pattern or rhythm; often used metaphorically to describe disruptions in processes, systems, or artistic performances.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and pronunciation are identical. The term is used identically in medical contexts.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. In metaphorical/extended use, the meaning is the same.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general language, equally high frequency in cardiology.
Grammar
How to Use “arrhythmia” in a Sentence
Patient + have/suffer from + arrhythmiaArrhythmia + cause + symptomTo diagnose/treat/manage + arrhythmiaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arrhythmia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The heart began to arrhythmiate dangerously. (Note: extremely rare/technical)
American English
- The patient's heart arrhythmated during the stress test. (Note: extremely rare/technical)
adverb
British English
- The heart was beating arrhythmically.
American English
- The engine misfired arrhythmically.
adjective
British English
- The arrhythmic beat was clearly visible on the monitor.
American English
- She experienced arrhythmic episodes throughout the day.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used metaphorically: 'The arrhythmia in the supply chain disrupted production.'
Academic
Common in medical and biological research papers.
Everyday
Very rare unless discussing personal health with a doctor.
Technical
Core term in cardiology, electrophysiology, and medical diagnostics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arrhythmia”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arrhythmia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arrhythmia”
- Misspelling: 'arythmia', 'arhythmia', 'arrythmia'. Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (AR-rith-mee-uh). Using it as a non-count noun only (*'he has arrhythmia' is acceptable, but 'an arrhythmia' is more precise in medicine).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Many arrhythmias, like occasional premature beats, are benign. Others, like ventricular fibrillation, are life-threatening.
Arrhythmia is the medical diagnosis of an irregular heartbeat. Palpitations are the symptom—the patient's sensation of their own heart beating irregularly, strongly, or fast.
Yes, but it's a deliberate metaphorical extension, often in arts or criticism (e.g., 'the arrhythmia of the film's editing'). It's not common in everyday conversation.
It comes from Greek 'a-' (without) + 'rhythmos' (rhythm). The 'rh' spelling reflects the Greek root.
An irregular, abnormal, or absent heartbeat, deviating from the normal sinus rhythm.
Arrhythmia is usually formal, technical, medical in register.
Arrhythmia: in British English it is pronounced /əˈrɪðmɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈrɪðmiə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] The arrhythmia of the market made investors nervous.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A-RHYTHM-ia = 'A' (not/without) + 'RHYTHM' (beat) + 'ia' (condition). A condition of being without rhythm.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH IS ORDER / DISEASE IS DISORDER. A rhythmic heartbeat symbolizes a well-ordered, reliable system; arrhythmia symbolizes dangerous chaos.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'arrhythmia' most precisely and frequently used?