ulcerative

American  

[uhl-suh-rey-tiv, -ser-uh-tiv] / ˈʌl səˌreɪ tɪv, -sər ə tɪv /

adjective

1. causing ulceration.

2. of the nature of or characterized by ulceration.

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ˈulcerative British  

/ ˈʌlsərətɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by ulceration

   ulcerative colitis

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Other Word Forms

• unulcerative adjective

Etymology

Origin of ulcerative

1565–75; < Medieval Latin ulcerātīvus, equivalent to Latin ulcerāt ( us ) ( ulcerate ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

IBD includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and is marked by long-lasting inflammation in the digestive tract.

From Science Daily • Jan. 25, 2026

Abivax’s primary drug, obefazimod for ulcerative colitis, is in late-stage clinical trials and not yet approved for sale.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

J&J is already working with Protagonist to develop an oral treatment for immune diseases including plaque psoriasis and ulcerative colitis and has the exclusive rights to commercialize the product.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

She won all three of her professional fights, between October 2021 and October 2022, later revealing she did so while suffering from what was eventually diagnosed as ulcerative colitis.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

His most troubling conditions were a strangely recurrent viral pneumonia, chronic sinusitis, and the ulcerative colitis that had laid him low the weekend before his scheduled testimony against Oppenheimer.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik