hormone
B2Technical, Academic, Medical, Everyday
Definition
Meaning
A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs.
A similar synthetic substance used in medicine or agriculture. Figuratively, something that stimulates activity or growth.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically a count noun. In scientific contexts, often part of a compound naming a specific hormone. Figurative use is less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and pronunciation are the primary differences. No significant difference in meaning or usage across registers.
Connotations
Equally neutral/scientific in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties, given the global nature of scientific/medical discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Hormone + verb (e.g., The hormone regulates...)Adjective + hormone (e.g., thyroid hormone)Verb + hormone (e.g., to secrete a hormone)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A rush of hormones (describing heightened emotion, especially in adolescence)”
- “Hormones are raging”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical/agricultural business contexts (e.g., 'hormone-based treatments').
Academic
Common in biology, medicine, psychology, and agricultural science texts.
Everyday
Common in discussions of health, puberty, menopause, stress, and fitness.
Technical
The primary register; precise usage with specific hormone names (e.g., cortisol, insulin, oestrogen).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The treatment involves hormoning the plants to induce flowering.
American English
- The cattle were hormoned to promote faster growth.
adverb
British English
- This gland functions hormonally.
American English
- The system is regulated hormonally.
adjective
British English
- She is on hormone replacement therapy.
American English
- The doctor explained the hormonal changes.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Hormones are important for your body.
- Stress can change your hormone levels.
- Teenagers have lots of hormones.
- The doctor tested her thyroid hormones.
- Growth hormone is crucial for child development.
- The study examined the interplay between sleep cycles and cortisol, a key stress hormone.
- Endocrine disruptors can mimic natural hormones, causing widespread physiological effects.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HORMONE = HORses need MONE(y)? No, but a HORMONE helps ORganise and MONitor your body's functions.
Conceptual Metaphor
BODY IS A CHEMICAL FACTORY (hormones are its messengers/products).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'гармонь' (a musical instrument). The Russian word is 'гормон' (gormon), a direct cognate, so spelling is similar.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /hɔːrˈməʊn/ (placing stress on the second syllable).
- Using as a non-count noun (e.g., 'too much hormone' is less standard than 'too many hormones' or 'high hormone levels').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a hormone?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by glands to regulate distant organs. Enzymes are proteins that catalyse (speed up) specific chemical reactions in cells.
Yes, but usually in a figurative or explanatory way (e.g., 'My hormones were all over the place during pregnancy,' or 'Teenage mood swings are often linked to hormones').
Yes, typically. You can talk about 'a hormone', 'several hormones', or 'hormone levels' (uncountable in that specific phrase).
Vitamins are essential nutrients obtained from food, while hormones are signalling molecules synthesized by the body itself.