Tourette's syndrome

American  

[too-rets] / tʊˈrɛts /

Or Tourette syndrome

noun

Pathology.

1. a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent involuntary movements, including multiple neck jerks and sometimes vocal tics, as grunts, barks, or words, especially obscenities.

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Tourette's syndrome Scientific  

/ t-rĕts′ /

1. A neurological disorder characterized by multiple facial and other body tics, usually beginning in childhood or adolescence and often accompanied by grunts and compulsive utterances, such as interjections or obscenities. It is named for its discoverer, French neurologist Georges Gilles de la Tourette (1857–1904).

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Etymology

Origin of Tourette's syndrome

After Georges Gilles de la Tourette (1857–1904), French neurologist, who described it in 1885

Example Sentences

In 1989, “I Swear” writer-director Kirk Jones saw the BBC television documentary “John’s Not Mad,” about the teenage Davidson and how he, his family and community dealt with his Tourette’s syndrome.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

"So if it can lead to a deeper understanding of Tourette's syndrome and what tics actually are, if our movie is a part of that conversation, then that's a really incredible thing."

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

But the film had a strong, sometimes controversial presence in the room beyond its trophies: In the film, Aramayo portrays Davidson, a notable advocate for Tourette’s syndrome awareness who suffers from the disorder.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

His life was filmed for a series of documentaries, beginning with John's Not Mad in 1989, which is credited with raising awareness of Tourette's syndrome.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

"I Swear" -- based on a true story about a Scottish man whose life was irrevocably changed by Tourette's syndrome -- was the most nominated British film, with five nods.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026