tumor
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 5The doctor told him the tumor was not dangerous.
The doctor informed him that the growth was not harmful.
The patient underwent surgery to remove the malignant tumor.
The patient had an operation to take out the cancerous growth.
I'm worried about this weird tumor on my dog's leg.
I am concerned about this strange lump on my dog's leg.
Antonyms
Word Family
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
The doctor told him the tumor was not dangerous.
everydayThe doctor informed him that the growth was not harmful.
The patient underwent surgery to remove the malignant tumor.
formalThe patient had an operation to take out the cancerous growth.
I'm worried about this weird tumor on my dog's leg.
informalI am concerned about this strange lump on my dog's leg.
The study analyzes the rate of tumor growth in various environments.
academicThe research looks at how fast the mass grows in different settings.
Our medical department is researching new treatments for brain tumors.
businessOur health division is looking for new ways to treat growths in the brain.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
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
A tumor is any abnormal mass, but it is only cancer if it is malignant (harmful and spreading).
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
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
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Related Words
you
A1Used 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
A1People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.
put
A1To 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
A1To 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
A1To 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
A1To 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
A1To 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
A1To 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
A1To 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
A1To 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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