chloasma: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Medical/Technical
Quick answer
What does “chloasma” mean?
A medical condition characterized by irregular brownish patches on the skin, typically on the face.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical condition characterized by irregular brownish patches on the skin, typically on the face.
A patchy hyperpigmentation of the skin, often hormonally triggered; also called 'melasma' or 'mask of pregnancy'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; term is equally technical in both variants.
Connotations
Clinical, neutral, slightly formal.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse; higher in medical/dermatology contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “chloasma” in a Sentence
Patient + develop + chloasmaChloasma + appear + on + skin areaTreatment + for + chloasmaVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; possibly in cosmetic/pharmaceutical industries.
Academic
Common in dermatology, endocrinology, and obstetrics papers.
Everyday
Very rare; laypeople might say 'dark patches' or 'pregnancy mask'.
Technical
Standard term in dermatology and obstetrics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chloasma”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chloasma”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chloasma”
- Misspelling as 'cloasma', 'chloazma', or 'kloasma'.
- Confusing with 'chlorosis' (greenish anemia).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, chloasma is not contagious; it's a cosmetic skin condition related to melanin production.
Yes, though it is much less common; it can occur due to hormonal imbalances, medication, or sun exposure.
They are often used interchangeably, though 'melasma' is the broader, more current dermatological term; 'chloasma' traditionally refers to pregnancy-related cases.
Treatment includes sun protection, topical agents like hydroquinone or retinoids, and sometimes chemical peels or laser therapy.
A medical condition characterized by irregular brownish patches on the skin, typically on the face.
Chloasma is usually medical/technical in register.
Chloasma: in British English it is pronounced /kləʊˈæzmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /kloʊˈæzmə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Mask of pregnancy (specifically for chloasma during pregnancy)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Chlo- sounds like chlorine' which can bleach, but chloasma is the opposite – dark patches.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNEVEN MAP (patchy discoloration resembling a map's contours).
Practice
Quiz
Chloasma is most closely associated with which of the following?