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scoliosis

American

[skoh-lee-oh-sis, skol-ee-] / ˌskoʊ liˈoʊ sɪs, ˌskɒl i- /

noun

Pathology.

an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

scoliosis British

/ ˌskɒlɪˈəʊsɪs, ˌskɒlɪˈɒtɪk /

noun

pathol an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, of congenital origin or caused by trauma or disease of the vertebrae or hipbones Compare kyphosis lordosis

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scoliosis Scientific

/ skō′lē-ō′sĭs /

A lateral curvature of the spine, usually having no known cause and occurring most commonly in preteen and adolescent girls.

Other Word Forms

scoliotic adjective

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:

scoliosis vs. lordosis

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."

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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.

The technique also successfully repaired mutations linked to scoliosis in zebrafish embryos.

From Science Daily • Oct. 25, 2025

Princess Eugenie has said she "couldn't get out of bed or do anything for myself" while recovering after scoliosis surgery as a child.

From BBC • May 18, 2025

Throughout junior high school, she wore a Milwaukee brace, a corrective for severe scoliosis.

From New York Times • Nov. 29, 2024

In January, the health ministry in Gaza referred Lamis for treatment abroad for her scoliosis.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2024

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