cellulitis

American  

[sel-yuh-lahy-tis] / ˌsɛl yəˈlaɪ tɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of cellular tissue.

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cellulitis British  

/ ˌsɛljʊˈlaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of any of the tissues of the body, characterized by fever, pain, swelling, and redness of the affected area

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Etymology

Origin of cellulitis

First recorded in 1860–65; from New Latin, from cellul(a) “small room” + -itis -itis; cf. cellular

Compare meaning

How does cellulitis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cellulitis vs. cellulite

Example Sentences

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

The out-of-hours GP had called the hospital to explain she thought Mr Towndrow had cellulitis and suspected DVT, also requesting a bed.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 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

On another occasion we had to knock down a partition in a tiny cottage, make a full-length wooden bath, pitching the seams to make it water-tight, in order to treat a severe cellulitis.

From A Labrador Doctor The Autobiography of Wilfred Thomason Grenfell by Grenfell, Wilfred Thomason, Sir