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hypertrophic

American  
[hahy-per-trof-ik, -troh-fik] / ˌhaɪ pərˈtrɒf ɪk, -ˈtroʊ fɪk /

adjective

  1. (especially of an organ or tissue) abnormally enlarged or overgrown.

    The doctor’s examination revealed hypertrophic tonsils.

    Communities of zooplankton can reach enormous densities in these naturally hypertrophic habitats, and they represent an important food resource for migratory birds.


Other Word Forms

  • pseudohypertrophic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypertrophic

hypertroph(y) ( def. ) + -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.

For hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—the thickening of heart muscles—it was 56 steps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

He said his father "persevered through pain" following the death of Daniel, who collapsed and died suddenly when he was 15 from the genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026

In 1992, his son Daniel died aged 15 from the genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing football at home with Yorath.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

Comparison with samples from patients with muscle disease will ultimately contribute to a better understanding of diseases like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and to the development of innovative therapies.

From Science Daily • Nov. 1, 2023

Megalocephaly, or as it was called by Virchow, leontiasis ossea, is due to a hypertrophic process in the bones of the cranium.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)