leukaemia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Medical, Academic, Formal, Everyday (in contexts of illness)
Quick answer
What does “leukaemia” mean?
A type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase in immature white blood cells.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase in immature white blood cells.
A serious, often life-threatening disease affecting the body's blood-forming tissues, leading to impaired immune function and other systemic complications. It can be used metaphorically to describe something that insidiously consumes or corrupts from within.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'leukaemia' (UK) vs. 'leukemia' (US). The UK spelling retains the digraph 'ae', following its Greek/Latin origin.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties—strongly associated with serious illness, medical treatment, and often childhood illness.
Frequency
Frequency is comparable in both varieties within medical and general discourse. The UK spelling is exclusively used in British publications.
Grammar
How to Use “leukaemia” in a Sentence
He was diagnosed with [leukaemia].She is battling [leukaemia].Research into [leukaemia] is ongoing.A new treatment for [leukaemia] has been developed.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “leukaemia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The disease process involves the bone marrow becoming leukaemic.
- Her condition leukaemically transformed.
American English
- The abnormal cells had leukemized the marrow.
- His bloodwork showed signs of a leukemic process.
adverb
British English
- The cells divided leukaemically.
American English
- The disease progressed leukemically.
adjective
British English
- The leukaemic cells were visible under the microscope.
- A leukaemia charity fundraiser.
American English
- The leukemic blast count was high.
- A leukemia research institute.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical or healthcare business contexts (e.g., 'The company specializes in leukaemia therapeutics.').
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and public health research papers and discourse.
Everyday
Used when discussing personal or public health, charity events, or news stories about individuals.
Technical
Precisely used in clinical medicine, oncology, and hematology with sub-classifications (ALL, CML, etc.).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “leukaemia”
- Misspelling: 'leukeamia', 'luekemia'.
- Incorrect article use: 'He has leukaemia' (correct), not 'He has a leukaemia' (though 'a type of leukaemia' is correct).
- Confusing it with lymphoma or other cancers.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Some types of leukaemia are now considered curable, especially certain childhood forms, while others are managed as chronic conditions. Treatment success varies greatly by type and stage.
The exact cause is often unknown, but it involves genetic mutations in blood cells. Risk factors can include certain genetic syndromes, high-dose radiation, some chemicals, and previous chemotherapy.
Leukaemia is a cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues (bone marrow, lymphatic system). Unlike solid tumours, it is a 'liquid cancer' circulating in the blood and bone marrow.
Most cases cannot be prevented as the causes are not fully understood. Avoiding known risk factors like high-dose radiation and certain industrial chemicals may reduce risk in some cases.
A type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase in immature white blood cells.
Leukaemia is usually medical, academic, formal, everyday (in contexts of illness) in register.
Leukaemia: in British English it is pronounced /luːˈkiːmiə/, and in American English it is pronounced /luːˈkiːmiə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms specific to 'leukaemia' exist.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: LEUK (sounds like 'Luke') has AEMIA (like 'anaemia' – a blood condition). Luke has a serious blood condition.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualised as a BATTLE or ENEMY ('fight leukaemia'), an INTRUDER, or a DARK CLOUD.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary difference between British and American English regarding the word 'leukaemia'?