enuresis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “enuresis” mean?
The medical term for involuntary urination, particularly during sleep (bedwetting).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The medical term for involuntary urination, particularly during sleep (bedwetting).
Involuntary urination beyond the typical age of bladder control, considered a medical condition. Can refer to nocturnal, diurnal, or primary/secondary types.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely clinical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech in both UK and US. Slightly more common in UK medical writing due to historical preference for Latin/Greek-derived terms.
Grammar
How to Use “enuresis” in a Sentence
patient + suffer from + enuresisdiagnosis + of + enuresistreatment + for + enuresisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enuresis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Verb form 'enuretic' is not standard. Use 'to suffer from enuresis' or 'to be enuretic.']
American English
- [Verb form 'enuretic' is not standard. Use 'to suffer from enuresis' or 'to be enuretic.']
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form.]
adjective
British English
- The enuretic child was referred to a specialist clinic.
- An enuresis alarm is a common first-line treatment.
American English
- The enuretic patient was assessed for underlying causes.
- Enuresis symptoms often resolve by adolescence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, nursing, paediatric, and psychological research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Parents would say 'bedwetting.'
Technical
Standard term in urology, paediatrics, and psychiatry for diagnosis and classification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “enuresis”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “enuresis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enuresis”
- Misspelling as 'enuresus' or 'enueresis'. Confusing it with 'incontinence' (broader term). Using it in casual conversation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Enuresis typically refers specifically to involuntary urination during sleep (bedwetting), often in children. Incontinence is a broader term for any involuntary leakage of urine, more commonly used for adults and various causes.
Not necessarily. Primary enuresis (ongoing from infancy) is often due to delayed bladder maturation or deep sleep patterns. Secondary enuresis (recurrence after being dry) can sometimes be linked to emotional stress, but both can have physical causes.
Medical evaluation for nocturnal enuresis is typically considered if it occurs at least twice a week for three months in a child aged 5 years or older.
Yes, though it is less common. Adult-onset nocturnal enuresis almost always has an underlying medical cause (e.g., urinary tract infection, diabetes, neurological issues, sleep apnea) and requires medical investigation.
The medical term for involuntary urination, particularly during sleep (bedwetting).
Enuresis is usually technical / medical in register.
Enuresis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɛnjʊˈriːsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɛnəˈriːsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The word itself is technical.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ENURESIS sounds like 'in your easy chair' – imagine accidentally wetting your favourite chair while sleeping.
Conceptual Metaphor
BODY AS A LEAKY CONTAINER / LOSS OF CONTROL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'enuresis' most appropriately used?