cystic

American

[sis-tik] / ˈsɪs tɪk /

adjective

pertaining to, of the nature of, or having a cyst or cysts; encysted.
Anatomy. belonging or pertaining to the urinary bladder or gall bladder.

cystic British

/ ˈsɪstɪk /

adjective

of, relating to, or resembling a cyst
having or enclosed within a cyst; encysted
relating to the gall bladder or urinary bladder

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of cystic

First recorded in 1625–35; cyst + -ic

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.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited life-threatening condition in the UK.

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2025

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited, life-threatening disorder that affects multiple organs and is caused by a defective gene that leads to the production of thickened mucus, which clogs airways and the digestive tract.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2025

Cystic Fibrosis are diagnosed here each year, typically around 4 weeks of age through the newborn screening programme.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2024

In recent years, new medicines have emerged that target the basic defect that causes Cystic Fibrosis.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2024

Cystic fibrosis will steal no more from me.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023