multiple sclerosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / Medium-lowMedical, formal, occasionally in journalistic or informal contexts when discussing health.
Quick answer
What does “multiple sclerosis” mean?
A chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system where the protective covering of nerve fibers is damaged, disrupting communication between the brain and the body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system where the protective covering of nerve fibers is damaged, disrupting communication between the brain and the body.
In non-technical usage, it can metaphorically refer to a system or process that is breaking down or losing its structural integrity in a scattered, unpredictable way. However, this is highly sensitive and should be avoided in formal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Pronunciation and spelling differences are consistent with general BrE/AmE patterns (e.g., 'sclerosis' /sklɪˈrəʊsɪs/ vs /sklɪˈroʊsɪs/).
Connotations
Identical. The disease is understood the same way in both medical communities.
Frequency
Slightly more common in public discourse in regions with higher prevalence (e.g., UK, North America, Northern Europe), but the term's frequency is tied to health context, not dialect.
Grammar
How to Use “multiple sclerosis” in a Sentence
[Patient] was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.Multiple sclerosis affects [patient].The symptoms of multiple sclerosis include [symptom list].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “multiple sclerosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The disease is progressing.
- Her condition has relapsed.
American English
- The disease progressed rapidly.
- He was diagnosed in his twenties.
adverb
British English
- Neurologically, the findings were consistent with MS.
American English
- Clinically, she presents with MS-like symptoms.
adjective
British English
- She has an MS-related symptom.
- The multiple sclerosis charity needs funds.
American English
- It's an MS-specific therapy.
- He attends a multiple sclerosis support group.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of healthcare benefits, insurance, or pharmaceutical development.
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and neurological research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Used in personal health discussions, news articles about medical advances, and charity campaigns.
Technical
The precise medical term used in diagnosis, treatment plans, and clinical studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “multiple sclerosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “multiple sclerosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “multiple sclerosis”
- Incorrect: 'He has a multiple sclerosis.' (omit 'a')
- Incorrect: 'She died of multiple sclerosis.' (People typically die from complications, not MS directly; prefer 'from complications of MS').
- Incorrect plural: 'multiples sclerosis'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
MS itself is rarely directly fatal. However, complications arising from severe disability (e.g., infections) can reduce life expectancy. Most people with MS have a normal or near-normal lifespan.
Early symptoms are highly variable but can include numbness or weakness in limbs, optic neuritis (blurred vision, eye pain), tingling, fatigue, and problems with balance or coordination.
It is not directly inherited, but there is a genetic predisposition. Having a close relative (like a parent or sibling) with MS slightly increases an individual's risk, indicating a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Many people with MS continue to work for years after diagnosis. Workplace adjustments, flexible hours, and effective disease management can enable long-term employment, though this depends on the disease course and individual symptoms.
A chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system where the protective covering of nerve fibers is damaged, disrupting communication between the brain and the body.
Multiple sclerosis is usually medical, formal, occasionally in journalistic or informal contexts when discussing health. in register.
Multiple sclerosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmʌltɪpl̩ sklɪˈrəʊsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmʌltəpl sklɪˈroʊsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific medical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MULTIPLE SCARS on the nerves' – 'sclerosis' comes from Greek for hardening, like scarring, and it happens in multiple places.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualized as a 'short circuit' or 'fraying wires' in the body's communication system. Also as an 'unwelcome guest' or 'unpredictable adversary' in patient narratives.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the primary pathological process in multiple sclerosis?