megacephaly: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/TechnicalFormal, Medical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “megacephaly” mean?
a medical condition characterized by an abnormally large head.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a medical condition characterized by an abnormally large head
While strictly medical, it can metaphorically describe anything disproportionately large-headed or conceptually 'big-headed' in non-literal contexts
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Macrocephaly' is a more common synonym in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely clinical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse; confined to medical literature, case reports, and specialized discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “megacephaly” in a Sentence
The infant presented with + [megacephaly][Megacephaly] + is often associated with + [syndrome/disorder][Diagnosis/tests] + revealed + [megacephaly]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “megacephaly” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The megacephalic skull showed distinctive frontal bossing on the radiograph.
American English
- The megacephalic infant was referred for genetic counseling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and genetic research papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used by a professional explaining a diagnosis to a patient/family.
Technical
The primary context of use; found in clinical neurology, pediatrics, radiology reports, and genetics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “megacephaly”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “megacephaly”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “megacephaly”
- Using it to describe a healthy person with a naturally large head (incorrect – implies a medical abnormality).
- Spelling: 'megacephaly' vs. 'megacephalie' (French-influenced).
- Confusing it with 'hydrocephaly' (specifically due to fluid).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Hydrocephalus is a specific cause of megacephaly involving cerebrospinal fluid accumulation. Megacephaly is a broader term for a large head from any cause (e.g., thickened bones, brain overgrowth).
Almost never. It is a highly technical medical term. Using it metaphorically (e.g., 'the company's megacephaly') would be very obscure and stylistically jarring.
They are often used interchangeably in medicine. Some specialists use 'macrocephaly' for head circumference >2 standard deviations above the mean, and 'megacephaly' for more extreme cases, but this distinction is not consistent.
It is a noun. The related adjective is 'megacephalic'.
a medical condition characterized by an abnormally large head.
Megacephaly is usually formal, medical/scientific in register.
Megacephaly: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛɡəˈsɛfəli/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛɡəˈsɛfəli/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MEGA (very large) + CEPHALY (relating to the head, from Greek 'kephalē') = very large head condition.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEAD SIZE IS VOLUME/CAPACITY (pathologically increased).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most precise clinical synonym for 'megacephaly'?