cellulitis
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of cellulitis
First recorded in 1860–65; from New Latin, from cellul(a) “small room” + -itis -itis; cf. cellular
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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.
It can resemble cellulitis but spreads rapidly and requires urgent hospital treatment.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026
Vaccines currently in development for Staphylococcus aureus infections, including MRSA, might have the side effect of fighting atopic dermatitis, cellulitis and impetigo — maybe even acne.
From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2025
This cycle of infection directly increases the risk of conditions like cellulitis that can send patients to the emergency room with sepsis, toxic shock and heart complications.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 26, 2024
Roughly 9 percent suffered post-surgical breast cellulitis infections causing swelling and pain; although most patients are successfully treated with antibiotics, in rare cases these infections are so severe that they require surgical treatment.
From Slate ● Mar. 22, 2024
The main vessels may become thrombosed or eroded—particularly when the cellulitis is associated with scarlet fever—and in the latter case copious hæmorrhage may follow incision of the abscess.
From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Alexander Miles
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.
