catarrh: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Medical, formal, dated/commonwealth everyday
Quick answer
What does “catarrh” mean?
Excessive mucus build-up in the nose or throat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Excessive mucus build-up in the nose or throat.
A medical condition involving inflammation of a mucous membrane, particularly of the respiratory tract, with increased production of mucus.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is more commonly used in British English. In American English, more specific terms like "congestion," "runny nose," "post-nasal drip," or "sinusitis" are often preferred in everyday speech.
Connotations
British: can be a mild, non-specific term for a common cold symptom. American: tends to sound medical or archaic.
Frequency
Moderately common in UK medical and older general contexts; rare in modern US casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “catarrh” in a Sentence
suffer from + catarrhhave + catarrhbe troubled with + catarrhcatarrh + in + [body part]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “catarrh” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- catarrhal inflammation
- a catarrhal condition
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in medical and historical texts describing inflammation and hypersecretion of mucous membranes.
Everyday
"I've had terrible catarrh all week." (UK) / "My sinuses are completely blocked." (US equivalent).
Technical
A pathological condition characterized by inflammation of mucous membranes with discharge of mucus and pus.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “catarrh”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “catarrh”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “catarrh”
- Misspelling as 'catarh' or 'catarr'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I am catarrhing').
- Confusing it with 'cataract' (an eye condition).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A cold is the viral illness. Catarrh is one of the symptoms (excess mucus) often caused by a cold.
Historically, yes (e.g., gastric catarrh). In modern usage, it is almost exclusively for respiratory tract mucus.
Catarrh often refers to the condition or the mucus while it is still in the nose/throat. Phlegm is mucus that is coughed up from the lungs.
More specific terms like 'congestion,' 'post-nasal drip,' or 'sinusitis' have become standard in American medical and everyday vocabulary.
Excessive mucus build-up in the nose or throat.
Catarrh is usually medical, formal, dated/commonwealth everyday in register.
Catarrh: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈtɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈtɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CAR stuck in a TAR pit (ca-TARRH), unable to move, just like thick mucus blocking your nose.
Conceptual Metaphor
MUCUS IS A STICKY, BLOCKING SUBSTANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'catarrh' most commonly used in everyday speech?