caries: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, medical, technical, academic
Quick answer
What does “caries” mean?
the decay and crumbling of teeth or bones, specifically the bacterial destruction of tooth enamel and dentin leading to cavities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the decay and crumbling of teeth or bones, specifically the bacterial destruction of tooth enamel and dentin leading to cavities
In medical terminology, can refer to progressive bone or dental decay; metaphorically used for any gradual, destructive process (though rare)
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term identically in medical/dental contexts. 'Tooth decay' is more common in everyday speech in both regions.
Connotations
Technical/clinical term; evokes a professional, precise diagnosis rather than casual description.
Frequency
Used almost exclusively by dental/medical professionals. Laypeople more commonly say 'tooth decay', 'cavities', or 'a rotten tooth'.
Grammar
How to Use “caries” in a Sentence
suffer from + cariesdiagnose + cariestreat + cariesprevent + cariesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “caries” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The carious lesion was evident on the X-ray.
- Carious teeth require prompt restoration.
American English
- The dentist identified a carious surface on the premolar.
- Prevention targets carious processes before cavitation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in dentistry, medicine, and public health research papers (e.g., 'The study evaluated fluoride's impact on caries incidence').
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. A dentist might say, 'You have some early caries on the molar' to a patient.
Technical
Precise term for the microbiological disease process involving acid production by plaque bacteria leading to hard tissue destruction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “caries”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “caries”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “caries”
- Using as a countable noun ('I have two caries') – better: 'I have two cavities'.
- Mispronouncing as /ˈkæ.riz/ or /kəˈraɪz/.
- Using in general conversation where 'tooth decay' is more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a singular, uncountable noun in modern English (e.g., 'Caries is a common disease'). Historically it was a plural form from Latin, but this is no longer observed.
'Caries' is the name of the disease process—the bacterial infection that causes decay. A 'cavity' (or 'carious lesion') is the physical hole or defect that results from that process.
Yes, in specialized medical contexts (e.g., 'tuberculous caries' for bone decay), but its primary and almost exclusive modern use is dental.
In British English: /ˈkɛː.riːz/ (KEH-reez). In American English: /ˈker.iːz/ (KAIR-eez). The stress is on the first syllable.
the decay and crumbling of teeth or bones, specifically the bacterial destruction of tooth enamel and dentin leading to cavities.
Caries is usually formal, medical, technical, academic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Caries Crumble – both start with C and describe crumbling decay.
Conceptual Metaphor
Disease as an invading force / Destruction as consumption (bacteria 'eat' the tooth).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'caries' correctly?