keratosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Medical, Technical
Quick answer
What does “keratosis” mean?
A skin condition characterized by a growth of keratin on the skin, forming a rough, scaly, or horn-like patch.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A skin condition characterized by a growth of keratin on the skin, forming a rough, scaly, or horn-like patch.
In medicine and dermatology, any disorder of the skin marked by excessive or abnormal keratinization (the process by which skin cells become filled with keratin protein and form a protective layer).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English. Both use the term identically in medical contexts.
Connotations
Purely clinical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and technical in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “keratosis” in a Sentence
Patient + has/develops + keratosisKeratosis + is + (adjective e.g., benign, actinic)Keratosis + on + (body part)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “keratosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The skin may keratose in response to chronic sun damage.
- The lesion began to keratose, becoming raised and rough.
American English
- The area can keratinize, forming a keratosis.
- The patch keratosed over several months.
adjective
British English
- The keratotic plaque was examined under a dermatoscope.
- She presented with keratotic changes on her forearms.
American English
- The biopsy showed keratotic tissue.
- The keratotic area was treated with cryotherapy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and dermatological research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Rarely used outside of discussions with healthcare professionals or in patient information leaflets.
Technical
Core term in dermatology and clinical medicine for classifying and describing specific skin pathologies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “keratosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “keratosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “keratosis”
- Misspelling: 'karatosis', 'kerotosis'.
- Incorrect plural: 'keratosis' (uncountable for the condition) or 'keratoses' (correct plural for individual lesions/types).
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (/ˈkɛrətəʊsɪs/) instead of the third (/ˌkɛrəˈtəʊsɪs/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Most keratoses (like seborrheic keratosis) are benign. However, some types, like actinic keratosis, are considered pre-cancerous and can potentially develop into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.
Many keratoses can be effectively removed or treated (e.g., by freezing, scraping, or laser). Conditions like keratosis pilaris are chronic and can be managed but not permanently cured.
No, keratoses are not contagious. They arise from internal processes like sun damage, genetics, or aging.
Yes, any new, changing, or unusual skin growth should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, typically a dermatologist, for accurate diagnosis and to rule out skin cancer.
A skin condition characterized by a growth of keratin on the skin, forming a rough, scaly, or horn-like patch.
Keratosis is usually medical, technical in register.
Keratosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɛrəˈtəʊsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɛrəˈtoʊsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'KERATIN' (the tough protein in skin and nails) + '-OSIS' (a suffix for a medical condition). So, 'keratosis' is a condition involving too much keratin.
Conceptual Metaphor
SKIN AS A SURFACE: Keratosis is conceptualized as an unwanted, rough texture or buildup on the surface of the skin.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary protein involved in the formation of a keratosis?