paraplegic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Medical, and Neutral/Descriptive in disability discourse.
Quick answer
What does “paraplegic” mean?
A person affected by paralysis of the legs and lower body, typically caused by spinal injury or disease.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person affected by paralysis of the legs and lower body, typically caused by spinal injury or disease.
Pertaining to or characteristic of paraplegia; relating to a condition involving partial or complete paralysis of the lower half of the body.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage preferences in disability discourse are similar.
Connotations
Neutral medical term; however, both varieties increasingly favour person-first language in formal writing and official documents to avoid defining a person solely by their condition.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties, with slightly higher occurrence in American English due to larger corpus of medical and legal literature.
Grammar
How to Use “paraplegic” in a Sentence
[BE/BECOME] + paraplegic (adj.)paraplegic + [NOUN] (adj.)a/the paraplegic (n.) + [VERB]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “paraplegic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- After the rugby accident, he was left permanently paraplegic.
- The hospital has a dedicated unit for paraplegic patients.
American English
- She became paraplegic following a car crash.
- The organisation provides adapted vehicles for paraplegic drivers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in contexts of workplace accessibility or insurance.
Academic
Common in medical, psychological, and rehabilitation science literature.
Everyday
Used with care, often in discussions of disability, accessibility, or personal stories.
Technical
Standard term in neurology, orthopaedics, and physical therapy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “paraplegic”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “paraplegic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paraplegic”
- Using 'paraplegic' interchangeably with 'quadriplegic' (paralysis of all four limbs).
- Incorrect: 'He is a paraplegic person' (redundant; use 'He is paraplegic' or 'He is a person with paraplegia').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While the term is medically accurate, many prefer person-first language ('a person with paraplegia') as it emphasises the individual over the condition. Context and personal preference are key.
Paraplegia involves paralysis of the lower body (legs and possibly trunk). Quadriplegia (or tetraplegia) involves paralysis of all four limbs and usually the torso.
Yes, it is commonly used as an adjective (e.g., a paraplegic athlete, a paraplegic condition). This usage is generally considered less problematic than the noun form when referring to a person.
Most do for mobility, but some may use braces, walkers, or exoskeletons. The level of function and device used depends on the individual's specific injury and rehabilitation.
A person affected by paralysis of the legs and lower body, typically caused by spinal injury or disease.
Paraplegic is usually formal, medical, and neutral/descriptive in disability discourse. in register.
Paraplegic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpær.əˈpliː.dʒɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌper.əˈpliː.dʒɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PARA (beside, beyond) + PLEGIA (stroke, paralysis): paralysis affecting the lower half, BESIDE the upper half.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often framed through a MEDICAL MODEL (a condition to be treated) or a SOCIAL MODEL (a state within a society with physical barriers).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of paraplegia?