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Tourette syndrome

British  
/ tʊəˈrɛt /

noun

  1. Also called: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome.   Tourette's syndrome.   Tourette's.  a brain disorder characterized by involuntary outbursts of swearing, spitting, barking, etc, and sudden involuntary movements

"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

Etymology

Origin of Tourette syndrome

C20: named after Georges Gilles de la Tourette (1857–1904), French neurologist

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.

Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition that causes people to make involuntary sounds or movements, known as tics.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

“The tics you have heard tonight are involuntary — that means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language and we apologize if it has caused offense,” Cumming explained.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

Kennedy mentioned diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, seizure disorders, ADHD, speech delay, language delay, tics, Tourette syndrome, narcolepsy, peanut allergies and eczema.

From Salon • Jul. 17, 2025

Howard was open early in his career that he had Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder causing involuntary, repetitive movements.

From Seattle Times • May 2, 2024

She said the proper term for it is Tourette syndrome.

From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds

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