scoliosis
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of scoliosis
First recorded in 1700–10, scoliosis is from the Greek word skolíōsis a bending
Compare meaning
How does scoliosis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
When a person's spine curves to the side, he or she has a medical condition called scoliosis. A human spine, or backbone, is usually straight; when it curves in an S or C shape, it's often because of scoliosis. When a patient is diagnosed with scoliosis, he or she receives physical therapy and sometimes needs to wear a brace that helps to gradually straighten the spine. The Greek word skoliosis literally means "crookedness," from the root skolios, "bent or crooked."
Vocabulary lists containing scoliosis
National Nurses Week: Medical Branches and Conditions
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Better Nate Than Ever
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Thing About Jellyfish
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
I had scoliosis, braces, thick glasses, stood 5-foot-9 and wanted to be cool.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026
The 19-year-old, who has been a wheelchair user since the age of seven, lives with a number of chronic conditions such as arthritis and scoliosis.
From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2026
With tickets to the gig booked a year ahead of the day she collected her brace, Isla said she had vowed "I'm going to get on that stage and raise awareness of scoliosis".
From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2026
The technique also successfully repaired mutations linked to scoliosis in zebrafish embryos.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2025
A month ago, Danny Brooks, the eighth grader with a scoliosis brace, was picked six slots ahead of me for a round of dodgeball.
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
