hypodermic

American  

[hahy-puh-dur-mik] / ˌhaɪ pəˈdɜr mɪk /

adjective

1. characterized by the introduction of medicine or drugs under the skin.

   hypodermic injection.

2. introduced under the skin.

   a hypodermic medication.

3. pertaining to parts under the skin.

4. stimulating; energizing.

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noun

1. a hypodermic remedy.

2. a hypodermic injection.

3. hypodermic syringe.

4. the administration of drugs into subcutaneous body tissues.

hypodermic British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈdɜːmɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the region of the skin beneath the epidermis

2. injected beneath the skin

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noun

1. a hypodermic syringe or needle

2. a hypodermic injection

Other Word Forms

• hypodermically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of hypodermic

First recorded in 1860–65; hypoderm(a) + -ic

Explanation

Hypodermic is a medical term that refers to anything related to just under the skin. A hypodermic needle injects medicine into your veins. The prefix hypo- means "under," while the Latin word derma refers to "skin." You might remember this easily by thinking about the word dermatologist, which is a doctor who deals with skin issues. Hypodermic is also a noun that refers to a syringe, or needle, that pierces beneath the skin. As an adjective, hypodermic means anything that relates to or is found below the skin, like a hypodermic bruise.

Example Sentences

But the Beauty was originally intended as a commercial product, a “fountain of youth” in hypodermic form, created by immortality-seeking billionaires.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

"Mosquitoes evolved right along with them with a new feeding strategy of developing hypodermic needles for mouths and feeding on blood in order for females to have plenty of protein to develop mature eggs."

From Science Daily • Oct. 18, 2023

For example, vaccines under development that consist of DNA are generally too thick to flow through a standard hypodermic needle.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 18, 2022

Waiting for this moment, the most individual of endings to such a collective experience: an appointment in a plastic chair for a one-on-one encounter with a hypodermic needle.

From Washington Post • Jan. 20, 2021

At the beginning of each day, the nuns at Yambuku Hospital would lay out five hypodermic syringes on a table, and they would use them to give shots to patients all day long.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston