hemorrhoid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Medical, technical, informal (in figurative use).
Quick answer
What does “hemorrhoid” mean?
A swollen and painful vein in the region of the anus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A swollen and painful vein in the region of the anus.
A condition characterized by such swollen veins; often used informally to describe something or someone intensely annoying or a pain to deal with.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK spelling is 'haemorrhoid'. US spelling is 'hemorrhoid'. The term is pronounced identically despite spelling.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. The figurative use is equally informal in both.
Frequency
Equally common in medical contexts. Figurative use is somewhat more frequent in American informal speech.
Grammar
How to Use “hemorrhoid” in a Sentence
have (a) hemorrhoid(s)suffer from hemorrhoidstreat (for) hemorrhoidsbe diagnosed with hemorrhoidsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hemorrhoid” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The condition haemorrhaged, but 'to haemorrhage' is not a direct verb form for this noun.
American English
- The condition hemorrhaged, but 'to hemorrhage' is not a direct verb form for this noun.
adjective
British English
- He had a haemorrhoidal flare-up.
- The haemorrhoidal tissue was inflamed.
American English
- He had a hemorrhoidal flare-up.
- The hemorrhoidal tissue was inflamed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except perhaps in hyperbolic, informal complaints: 'This software update is a real hemorrhoid.'
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and health sciences papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Used in discussions of health, especially among adults. Figurative use is informal and jocular.
Technical
Standard term in proctology, gastroenterology, and general medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hemorrhoid”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hemorrhoid”
- Misspelling: 'hemroid', 'hemeroid'. Incorrect plural: 'hemorrhoidses'. Using it in formal, non-medical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently. It is a standard medical term. However, discussing it in casual social settings may be considered impolite or too personal, and its figurative use is informal.
Internal hemorrhoids form inside the rectum and are usually painless but may bleed. External hemorrhoids form under the skin around the anus and can be painful and itchy.
The term 'piles' is a common, slightly less clinical synonym used in both everyday and medical contexts.
No. The related verb is 'to hemorrhage' (to bleed profusely), but it is not used to mean 'to develop hemorrhoids'.
A swollen and painful vein in the region of the anus.
Hemorrhoid is usually medical, technical, informal (in figurative use). in register.
Hemorrhoid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhem.ər.ɔɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhem.ə.rɔɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a pain in the backside/arse/butt (figurative equivalent)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HEM' (blood) + 'ORRHOID' (sounds like 'horrid') = a horrid, bloody swelling.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOURCE OF ANNOYANCE IS A PAINFUL BODILY CONDITION (figurative).
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is the standard British English variant?