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

Aramayo’s portrayal of real-life Tourette’s syndrome activist John Davidson is a truly stunning turn but, ironically, the events of that evening also proved why the film is so necessary right now.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

British actor Robert Aramayo triumphed over established stars Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio to win the best actor prize for his portrayal of a man with Tourette's syndrome in "I Swear".

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

The actor, who depicted the life of John Davidson, a campaigner for Tourette's syndrome, was in tears as he collected his award, telling the crowd: "I honestly cannot believe this."

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026