Showing results for Tourette syndrome. Search instead for Terrets+Syndrome.

Tourette syndrome

British

/ tʊəˈrɛt /

noun

Also called: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. Tourette's syndrome. Tourette's. a brain disorder characterized by involuntary outbursts of swearing, spitting, barking, etc, and sudden involuntary movements

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Tourette syndrome

C20: named after Georges Gilles de la Tourette (1857–1904), French neurologist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While Tourette syndrome has many complex symptoms, “I Swear” focuses largely on coprolalia, a symptom affecting approximately 10% of individuals with Tourette’s and manifests in the involuntary use of obscene language.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

The slur was involuntarily blurted by John Davidson, whose life experience dealing with Tourette syndrome inspired the film “I Swear.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

The line-up also sees Capaldi continue his return to touring after two years away, following a 2023 Glastonbury performance where he struggled to manage the symptoms of Tourette syndrome.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

Howard was open early in his career that he had Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder causing involuntary, repetitive movements.

From Seattle Times • May 2, 2024

She said the proper term for it is Tourette syndrome.

From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023