A1 noun Neutral #2,561 most common

tumor

/ˈtuː.mər/

An abnormal growth of body tissue that forms a mass or lump. It occurs when cells divide too much and can be either harmless (benign) or dangerous (malignant).

Examples

3 of 5
1

The doctor told him the tumor was not dangerous.

The doctor informed him that the growth was not harmful.

2

The patient underwent surgery to remove the malignant tumor.

The patient had an operation to take out the cancerous growth.

3

I'm worried about this weird tumor on my dog's leg.

I am concerned about this strange lump on my dog's leg.

Word Family

Noun
tumor
Adjective
tumorous
Related
tumescence
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Memory Tip

Think of the phrase 'Too-More' – when your body creates 'too' many 'more' cells than it needs, it forms a tumor.

Quick Quiz

The surgeon successfully removed the _______ from the patient's lung.

Correct!

The correct answer is: tumor

Examples

1

The doctor told him the tumor was not dangerous.

everyday

The doctor informed him that the growth was not harmful.

2

The patient underwent surgery to remove the malignant tumor.

formal

The patient had an operation to take out the cancerous growth.

3

I'm worried about this weird tumor on my dog's leg.

informal

I am concerned about this strange lump on my dog's leg.

4

The study analyzes the rate of tumor growth in various environments.

academic

The research looks at how fast the mass grows in different settings.

5

Our medical department is researching new treatments for brain tumors.

business

Our health division is looking for new ways to treat growths in the brain.

Word Family

Noun
tumor
Adjective
tumorous
Related
tumescence

Common Collocations

benign tumor a harmless growth
malignant tumor a cancerous growth
brain tumor a growth located in the brain
shrink a tumor to make a growth smaller
remove a tumor to take out a growth surgically

Common Phrases

solid tumor

an abnormal mass of tissue that usually does not contain cysts

primary tumor

the original tumor where cancer cells first began to grow

tumor marker

a substance found in the body that suggests the presence of a tumor

Often Confused With

tumor vs cancer

A tumor is any abnormal mass, but it is only cancer if it is malignant (harmful and spreading).

tumor vs cyst

A cyst is a sac usually filled with fluid or air, whereas a tumor is a solid mass of tissue.

📝

Usage Notes

The word 'tumor' is the American English spelling; in British English, it is spelled 'tumour'. It is used in both medical professional settings and general conversation to describe any unusual lump.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often assume 'tumor' always means 'cancer'. It is important to specify if it is 'benign' (safe) or 'malignant' (cancerous).

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the phrase 'Too-More' – when your body creates 'too' many 'more' cells than it needs, it forms a tumor.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'tumor' meaning 'a swelling,' which comes from the verb 'tumere' meaning 'to swell.'

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural: tumors Often followed by adjectives like benign, malignant, or primary
🌍

Cultural Context

Talking about tumors can be a sensitive subject in many cultures due to the association with serious illness and mortality.

Quick Quiz

The surgeon successfully removed the _______ from the patient's lung.

Correct!

The correct answer is: tumor

Related Words

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

people

A1

People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.

put

A1

To move something into a particular place or position. It is a fundamental verb used to describe the act of placing an object or setting a situation in a specific location.

mean

A1

To have a specific sense or significance, especially when explaining a word or sign. It can also describe a person's intention or the importance of something to someone.

keep

A1

To continue to have or hold something in your possession or at your disposal. It also means to remain in a specific state, condition, or position without changing.

begin

A1

To start doing something or for an event to happen for the first time. It is often used to describe the first point of a process or activity.

seem

A1

To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality based on what you see or hear. It is used to describe an appearance or feeling that may or may not be the actual truth.

help

A1

To make it easier for someone to do something by offering your services, resources, or support. It can involve physical effort, providing information, or giving money to assist a person or a cause.

talk

A1

To speak in order to give information or express ideas, feelings, or thoughts. It typically involves a conversation between two or more people or a person addressing an audience.

start

A1

To begin doing something or to cause something to happen for the first time. It is frequently used when talking about movements, journeys, or making a machine or engine begin to work.

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