prosthetic

American  

[pros-thet-ik] / prɒsˈθɛt ɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to an artificial body part or prosthesis.

   He was fitted for a prosthetic arm.

2. of or relating to the fields of surgical or dental prosthetics.

   advances in prosthetic technology.

3. of or relating to a substance, item, or process used to transform a person’s appearance temporarily, especially as a theatrical special effect.

   The final scene required painstaking application of prosthetic hair and skin.

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noun

1. an artificial body part; a prosthesis.

   Hundreds of amputees volunteered to test the new prosthetics.

2. an appearance-altering substance or item applied temporarily to a person’s face or body, especially to create a theatrical special effect.

   Alien creatures are brought to life with realistic prosthetics.

Other Word Forms

• prosthetically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of prosthetic

1735–40; < Modern Latin prostheticus, from Hellenistic Greek prosthetikós, equivalent to prósthet(os) “added on,” verbid of prostithе́nai “to add, put onto” ( pros- pros- ( def. ). + the-, stem of tithе́nai “to put, place” + -tos verbid suffix) + -ikos -ic ( def. )

Explanation

Use the adjective prosthetic to describe something that has to do with an artificial body part. You might know someone who walks with the help of a prosthetic leg. Something that's prosthetic fills in for a missing part. In some cases, people are born without an arm or a foot, and in others they've lost a limb in an accident. Prosthetic limbs can help them get along more easily, substituting for the absent part. Prosthetic has a Greek root, prostithenai, or "addition," and an early meaning of "that which is added to the body."

Example Sentences

However, gruelling downhill sections of mountain hikes can cause discomfort to the skin where the prosthetic attaches and pressure on the knee.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

For years, scientists have searched for ways to move beyond prosthetic limbs and toward treatments capable of restoring natural movement, sensation, and function.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

It was fun to just let loose, with a fat prosthetic belly, and have a good time and dance.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

He tells Newsbeat he spent about an hour in make-up having prosthetic scars applied to his back, and recalls director Fennell carefully checking to ensure they matched Elordi's.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Her prosthetic arm felt weighty on my shoulder, her hair stuck to the tears on my face.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat