erythematous

American  

[er-uh-them-uh-tuhs, ‑-thee-muh‑] / ˌɛr əˈθɛm ə təs, ‑ˈθi mə‑ /

Rarely erythematic

adjective

Pathology.

1. abnormally inflamed or reddened.

   Clinical signs include the presence of dry, fissured lips and a coated, erythematous, and fissured tongue.

---

Etymology

Origin of erythematous

First recorded in 1770–80; erythemat- (stem of erythema ( def. ) ) + -ous ( def. )

Example Sentences

Johnson & Johnson is also a key beneficiary in this space, the analyst wrote last month, citing its leadership in hematology and head start in potential markets like Sjogren’s disease and systemic lupus erythematous.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

But more significantly, another joke at singer Seal’s expense was not about his race — it was about his FACE, which is scarred by a type of lupus called discoid lupus erythematous.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2016

“Their appearance meant blood vessels had broken in those areas. Over the next couple of days, the rash would progress until the spots coalesced into generalized, large red erythematous rash from head to toe.”

From Time • Jul. 21, 2015

The skin becomes covered with an erythematous blush, on which numerous tiny vesicles form.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various

In the epidemic at Chicago in 1872, N. S. Davis says:36 "About one-third of the cases presented some red erythematous spots" between the third and the seventh day.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various