bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus, which can be discolored, and experience difficulty breathing.
Examples
3 of 5I had to stay home from school all week because I came down with a bad case of bronchitis.
I had to stay home from school all week because I became sick with a bad lung infection.
The physician's report indicates that the patient is suffering from acute bronchitis following a viral infection.
The doctor's report says the patient has a short-term lung inflammation after a virus.
I've got a bit of bronchitis, so I'm sounding like a broken engine today.
I have a slight lung infection, so my voice sounds very raspy today.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember that '-itis' always means inflammation (like arthritis). 'Bronch' refers to the bronchial tubes in your chest. So, Bronch-itis is inflammation of the chest tubes.
Quick Quiz
The heavy smoker was warned that his persistent cough could be a sign of chronic ______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bronchitis
Examples
I had to stay home from school all week because I came down with a bad case of bronchitis.
everydayI had to stay home from school all week because I became sick with a bad lung infection.
The physician's report indicates that the patient is suffering from acute bronchitis following a viral infection.
formalThe doctor's report says the patient has a short-term lung inflammation after a virus.
I've got a bit of bronchitis, so I'm sounding like a broken engine today.
informalI have a slight lung infection, so my voice sounds very raspy today.
Epidemiological studies suggest that chronic bronchitis is significantly more prevalent in urban areas with high pollution levels.
academicStudies of diseases show that long-term lung inflammation is more common in polluted cities.
Due to a sudden outbreak of bronchitis among the staff, we may need to adjust our project deadlines.
businessBecause many employees are sick with lung infections, we might need to change our deadlines.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a bout of bronchitis
a period of suffering from the illness
wheezing cough
a cough accompanied by a whistling sound
productive cough
a cough that produces mucus
Often Confused With
Bronchitis affects the bronchial tubes, while pneumonia is an infection that fills the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs with fluid.
Asthma is a chronic condition causing narrowed airways, whereas bronchitis is specifically characterized by inflammation and mucus production.
Usage Notes
The word is almost always used with the verbs 'have', 'get', or 'suffer from'. It can be used as an uncountable noun or with 'a case of'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misspell the word by forgetting the 'h' after the 'c'. They also sometimes confuse it with a simple 'cold', though bronchitis is typically more severe and lasts longer.
Memory Tip
Remember that '-itis' always means inflammation (like arthritis). 'Bronch' refers to the bronchial tubes in your chest. So, Bronch-itis is inflammation of the chest tubes.
Word Origin
Derived from the Greek 'bronkhia' (bronchial tubes) and the medical suffix '-itis' (inflammation).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking countries, a 'chest cold' is the common name used by laypeople for acute bronchitis.
Quick Quiz
The heavy smoker was warned that his persistent cough could be a sign of chronic ______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bronchitis
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