ulcer

American  

[uhl-ser] / ˈʌl sər /

noun

• ulcers
  plural

1. Pathology. a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane, accompanied by the disintegration of tissue, the formation of pus, etc.

2. peptic ulcer.

3. any chronically corrupting or disrupting condition, element, etc.

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ulcer British  

/ ˈʌlsə /

noun

1. a disintegration of the surface of the skin or a mucous membrane resulting in an open sore that heals very slowly See also peptic ulcer

2. a source or element of corruption or evil

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ulcer Scientific  

/ ŭl′sər /

1. A break in the skin or a mucous membrane, such as the one lining the stomach or duodenum, accompanied by inflammation, pus, and loss of tissue.

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ulcer Cultural  

1. An inflamed open sore on the skin or mucous membrane. An ulcer may form in the inner lining of the stomach or duodenum, interfere with digestion, and cause considerable pain.

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Usage

What does ulcer mean? An ulcer is a sore on the skin or on a mucous membrane, such as the lining of your stomach. If left untreated, ulcers can result in serious health problems, such as inflammation or death of tissues. Ulcers in the stomach are fairly common in Western countries. They are generally easy to treat but can become serious if not treated. Example: The doctor discovered that an ulcer was causing my stomach pain.

Discover More

It used to be thought that stress was the cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, but we now know that they are caused by bacteria and can be cured by antibiotics.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antiulcer
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• ulcers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ulcer

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ulcer-, stem of ulcus; akin to Greek hélkos, perhaps also to Old Norse illr ( see ill ( def. ))

Compare meaning

How does ulcer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• canker sore vs. ulcer

Explanation

A canker sore is a common form of ulcer or open sore. An ulcer can be on an external surface like the mouth or an internal surface, like the stomach. They are caused by a break in skin or mucus membrane that won't heal. Ulcer comes from the Greek elkos meaning "wound." An ulcer is a wound or lesion that is inflamed and painful. Ulcers are commonly found in the stomach where they are called peptic ulcers. They are caused by a bacteria in the intestinal tract or an overuse of drugs that disturbs the lining of the digestive tract. An ulcer is very acidic and painful. I hope you don't get one.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ulcer ulcers

In the words of one 1930s journalist quoted by Mr. Dillon, the glaring inequities of Shanghai in the 19th and early 20th centuries made it “a complete political ulcer on the face of China.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

While misoprostol, which is commonly prescribed for ulcer prevention, can be used alone for abortions, it is less effective and less safe than when it’s used in combination with mifepristone.

From Salon ● Feb. 9, 2026

Over a lifetime, as many as one in three people with diabetes may experience a foot ulcer.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 20, 2026

Laura was given only a 30% chance of surviving that long after her diagnosis in 2019, after having an ulcer on her tongue which wouldn't go away.

From BBC ● May 30, 2025

His veins had swelled with the effort of the cough, and the varicose ulcer had started itching.

From "1984" by George Orwell

Manganiello detailed debilitating abdominal pain, fevers, rashes, headaches, fatigue and ulcers in his digestive tract that caused bleeding and led to countless colonoscopies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

"It was constant nausea, stomach pains, mouth ulcers, just day-to-day fatigue, it was awful," she said.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

However, the repeated presence of inflammation, ulcers, tissue scarring and other digestive problems suggests the bacteria could contribute to chronic illness.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026

In traditional Medicare, Mr. Halvorson wrote, “20% percent of diabetes patients routinely get ulcers and 20% of those ulcers turn into amputations.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

The next morning, Robin asked me to go with her to a doctor—for the ulcers but also for an X-ray of my foot, because my big toe had turned black.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

• abscess
• lesion
• sore