sphincter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialist/Medical)Technical/Medical, sometimes Informal (with humorous or metaphorical intent)
Quick answer
What does “sphincter” mean?
A ring of muscle surrounding and able to contract to close a bodily passage or opening.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A ring of muscle surrounding and able to contract to close a bodily passage or opening.
In informal contexts, sometimes used metaphorically to describe a person who is excessively controlling or uptight.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The metaphorical/informal use is understood but slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
The word itself is clinical. Its metaphorical use is considered crude or vulgar humor.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects outside medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sphincter” in a Sentence
The [ANATOMICAL LOCATION] sphincter [VERB: contracts/relaxes/fails]to have [NOUN: control/dysfunction] of the sphincterVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sphincter” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- sphincteral pressure
- sphincteric function (highly technical)
American English
- sphincteral tone
- sphincteric mechanism (highly technical)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and physiological texts and lectures.
Everyday
Rare, except in specific discussions of health or crude humor.
Technical
The primary context. Precise anatomical descriptor.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sphincter”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sphincter”
- Mispronunciation: /ˈspɪŋk.tɚ/ (with a 'p' sound). Correct has an 'f' sound: /ˈsfɪŋk.tɚ/.
- Using it in polite formal contexts with its metaphorical meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The word itself is a standard medical term and not rude. However, its metaphorical use to describe a person is considered vulgar and offensive slang.
The anal sphincter is the most widely recognized, though the lower esophageal sphincter (causing heartburn) is also commonly discussed.
It comes from the Greek 'sphinktēr', where 'ph' represents the Greek letter phi (φ), which is pronounced /f/.
No, 'sphincter' is solely a noun. The related action is described with verbs like 'contract', 'tighten', 'relax', or 'close'.
A ring of muscle surrounding and able to contract to close a bodily passage or opening.
Sphincter is usually technical/medical, sometimes informal (with humorous or metaphorical intent) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be a total sphincter (vulgar slang: to be a contemptible person)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SFINX-ter' - a SPHINX is a guarding statue. A SPHINCTER is a guarding muscle that closes a passage.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTROL IS CONSTRICTION / A PERSON IS A BODILY PART (with negative attributes).
Practice
Quiz
In informal, vulgar slang, calling someone 'a sphincter' implies they are: