rickets: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Medical/Technical, occasionally literary/metaphorical
Quick answer
What does “rickets” mean?
A childhood disease caused by vitamin D deficiency, resulting in softening and weakening of the bones.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A childhood disease caused by vitamin D deficiency, resulting in softening and weakening of the bones.
The term is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a state of weakness, deficiency, or poor development in non-medical contexts (e.g., 'rickety economy').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical medical connotations. The metaphorical extension is equally rare in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, but standard within medical/health contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “rickets” in a Sentence
[Patient] has/suffers from/developed rickets.Rickets is caused by/prevented with [Agent].The [Symptom] is a sign of rickets.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rickets” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The rickets-affected children were given supplements.
- Rickets prevention programmes are essential.
American English
- Rickets-related complications can be serious.
- Public health campaigns target rickets prevalence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, public health, historical, and nutritional science texts.
Everyday
Rare, except when discussing childhood health, historical conditions, or nutrition.
Technical
Standard term in paediatrics, endocrinology, and orthopaedics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rickets”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rickets”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rickets”
- Misspelling as 'ricket' (singular; the disease name is plural in form).
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a rickets' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has been documented for centuries. It became prevalent during the Industrial Revolution in crowded, smoggy cities and declined with improved nutrition and public health. Isolated cases still occur.
The adult equivalent of rickets is called osteomalacia. Both are caused by vitamin D deficiency but present differently due to the status of the growth plates in bones.
No, rickets is not contagious. It is a nutritional deficiency disease, not an infection.
Treatment involves correcting the underlying deficiency with vitamin D and calcium supplements, along with dietary changes and safe sun exposure.
A childhood disease caused by vitamin D deficiency, resulting in softening and weakening of the bones.
Rickets is usually medical/technical, occasionally literary/metaphorical in register.
Rickets: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪkɪts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪkɪts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'rickety' old chair with weak, wobbly legs. Rickets makes bones weak and wobbly.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEAKNESS IS STRUCTURAL FAILURE (e.g., a rickety economy).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of nutritional rickets?