comedo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “comedo” mean?
A small, flesh-coloured, white, or dark bump on the skin, commonly known as a blackhead or whitehead.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, flesh-coloured, white, or dark bump on the skin, commonly known as a blackhead or whitehead.
In dermatology, a non-inflammatory primary lesion of acne, formed by a plug of keratin and sebum within a hair follicle. It can be open (blackhead, oxidized melanin) or closed (whitehead, covered by skin).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely medical/scientific. No additional cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general conversation, higher frequency in dermatology, cosmetics, and aesthetic medicine.
Grammar
How to Use “comedo” in a Sentence
The dermatologist extracted the comedo.A product to prevent comedones.The patient presented with multiple comedones.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “comedo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The aesthetician will gently comedo-extract the affected area.
- This gel helps to comedolyse the blockage.
American English
- The esthetician will comedo-extract gently.
- This treatment comedolyses the plug.
adverb
British English
- [Not used adverbially]
American English
- [Not used adverbially]
adjective
British English
- She had a comedo-type eruption on her chin.
- The comedonal acne was persistent.
American English
- It was primarily a comedo breakout.
- He presented with comedonal lesions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing for skincare and cosmetics (e.g., 'non-comedogenic' on product labels).
Academic
Used in medical, dermatology, and biology papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Rare. 'Blackhead' or 'whitehead' are used instead.
Technical
Standard term in dermatological diagnosis, aesthetic procedures, and cosmetic chemistry.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “comedo”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈkɒmədoʊ/ (like 'comedy-o').
- Using 'comedo' to refer to inflamed pimples or cysts.
- Using plural 'comedos' instead of standard medical Latin plural 'comedones'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A comedo (blackhead/whitehead) is a non-inflammatory plug. A pimple (papule or pustule) is an inflamed, often red and tender lesion.
It means the product is formulated not to clog pores or cause comedones (blackheads/whiteheads).
Medical advice generally discourages squeezing, as it can push debris deeper, cause inflammation, and lead to scarring. Professional extraction is safer.
The correct plural, especially in medical contexts, is 'comedones' (/kəˈmiːdəniːz/ or /kɒmɪˈdəʊniːz/). 'Comedos' is sometimes seen but is less standard.
A small, flesh-coloured, white, or dark bump on the skin, commonly known as a blackhead or whitehead.
Comedo is usually technical/medical in register.
Comedo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒmɪdəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmiːdoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms contain this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Come' and 'do' - something that comes to do on your skin, like a blackhead.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLUG IN A DRAIN (the follicle is the drain, the comedo is the clog).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a comedo?