spleen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-Frequency Word (C1-C2)Medical/Technical, Literary/Formal (for figurative use)
Quick answer
What does “spleen” mean?
A large, dark red organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen, near the stomach, which filters blood, removes old red blood cells, and stores platelets and white blood cells.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, dark red organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen, near the stomach, which filters blood, removes old red blood cells, and stores platelets and white blood cells.
In figurative use, it refers to feelings of anger, irritability, or bad temper, historically associated with the bodily humour believed to be secreted by the spleen.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The figurative usage ('venting one's spleen') is slightly more common in British literary/journalistic contexts but is rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Medical/neutral for the organ. The figurative use carries a formal, somewhat archaic, or deliberately colourful connotation.
Frequency
The word is low-frequency in general discourse. The anatomical term is common in medical/biological contexts. The figurative sense is uncommon.
Grammar
How to Use “spleen” in a Sentence
have a + ADJ + spleen (He has an enlarged spleen)vent + POSS + spleen + on/against + NP (She vented her spleen on the committee)suffer a + injured/ruptured + spleenVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spleen” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- splenic artery
- splenic rupture
American English
- splenic flexure
- splenic injury
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and anatomical texts.
Everyday
Rare. If used, almost exclusively in a medical context (e.g., 'He had to have his spleen removed after the accident.').
Technical
Standard term in human and veterinary medicine, haematology, and immunology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spleen”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spleen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spleen”
- Mispronouncing as /spliːn/ (like 'spleen') is correct, not /splɛn/.
- Using the figurative sense in casual conversation, which sounds odd or pretentious.
- Confusing with 'liver' or 'kidney' in anatomical descriptions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word outside of medical or specific literary contexts. Most people encounter it during biology lessons or in medical situations.
Yes, but it is a fixed, formal, and somewhat literary idiom. It means to express strong anger, usually verbally. In everyday speech, people would say 'vent your anger/frustration'.
The main adjective is 'splenic' (relating to the spleen, e.g., splenic vein). The figurative adjective is 'splenetic', meaning bad-tempered or spiteful.
Yes, it is an important organ for filtering blood and supporting the immune system, but people can live without it (after a splenectomy). However, they become more susceptible to certain infections and may need lifelong vaccinations and antibiotics.
A large, dark red organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen, near the stomach, which filters blood, removes old red blood cells, and stores platelets and white blood cells.
Spleen is usually medical/technical, literary/formal (for figurative use) in register.
Spleen: in British English it is pronounced /spliːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /splin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “vent one's spleen (on someone/something): to express one's anger, especially by shouting”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SPLEEN' as containing 'PLEEN' which rhymes with 'CLEAN' – the spleen helps CLEAN the blood.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A CONTAINER FOR EMOTIONS (archaic: Anger is a fluid in the spleen).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common contemporary use of the word 'spleen'?