areola

American  

[uh-ree-uh-luh] / əˈri ə lə /

noun

Biology.

areolae, plural areolas plural

1. a ring of color, as around the human nipple.

2. a small interstice, as between the fibers of connective tissue.

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areola British  

/ əˈrɪələ, əˌrɪəˈleɪʃən, -ˌleɪt, əˈrɪəlɪt /

noun

1. anatomy any small circular area, such as the pigmented ring around the human nipple or the inflamed area surrounding a pimple

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• areolation
  noun
• areolar
  adjective
• areolate
  adjective
• areolated
  adjective
• multiareolate
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• areolae
  plural
• areolas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of areola

1655–65; < Latin, equivalent to āre ( a ) area + -ola -ole ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The penalty was awarded after a VAR check and Gibbs-White dusted himself down to drill the spot-kick past Areola, pushing the crest-fallen Nuno to the brink.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

In a bid to punch clear, Areola came off his line and thumped into Gibbs-White's head with his out-stretched arm.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola joins BBC Sport's Betty Glover for a walk and talk about his love of dogs and how the Hammers are staying positive through a tough spell.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

Foden got City up and running, beating goalkeeper Alphonse Areola after two minutes.

From BBC • May 19, 2024

It was an affair of the bridge of Areola.'

From Tancred Or, The New Crusade by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield