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

See Examples For:

Tourette's syndrome

"It's more dangerous to accept the supernatural explanations," he warned, noting that conditions ranging from schizophrenia to Tourette's syndrome were once interpreted as spirit possession.

From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026

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

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

“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

Host Alan Cumming apologised but explained that Tourette's syndrome was a disability.

From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2026