alopecia
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of alopecia
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek alōpekía “mange in foxes,” equivalent to alōpek- (stem of alṓpēx ) “fox” + -ia -ia
Explanation
Alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss and baldness. Some types of alopecia are caused by an immune system disorder. While most men experience alopecia, or balding, at some point in their lives, it's less common in women. The term alopecia applies to all types of hair loss, including balding caused by trauma, like tight ponytails, and fungal infections. Extreme forms of alopecia can result in loss of body hair as well. The Greek root of the word is alōpekia, literally "fox mange," from alōpēx, "fox."
Vocabulary lists containing alopecia
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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.
My hair loss isn’t as severe as it is for folks with more aggressive alopecia, but it’s still tough to live with.
From Slate • May 23, 2026
He never flinched, instead taking it upon himself to bring up prominent women with alopecia.
From Slate • May 23, 2026
The study showed rezpegaldesleukin’s potential “to deliver truly meaningful clinical outcomes for patients with severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata,” said Dr. David Rosmarin, chair of the Department of Dermatology at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
Nektar Therapeutics’ rezpegaldesleukin showed nearly 40% of patients achieving 50% or better improvement in a Phase 2b alopecia areata trial.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
In those cases in which there is a positive cause, as, for instance, in symptomatic alopecia, the prognosis is, as a rule, favorable, especially if no family predisposition exists.
From Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Including the Syphilodermata Arranged in the Form of Questions and Answers Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine by Stelwagon, Henry Weightman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
