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.
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
Around 6.7 million people in the U.S. and 160 million worldwide develop the condition in their lifetime, but current therapies for alopecia have high relapse rates, Nektar said.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
It’s unclear whether an increasing number of people are experiencing hair loss, although some researchers say lifestyle and dietary habits can bring on early onset androgenetic alopecia.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026
Even so, the review highlights how careful scientific study of traditional remedies can open the door to new treatment strategies for common conditions such as androgenetic alopecia.
From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2026
The accompanying illustration shows a case in which there was osseous depression of the cranium and a localized alopecia.
From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)
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.
