wart

American  

[wawrt] / wɔrt /

noun

1. a small, often hard, abnormal elevation on the skin, usually caused by a papomavirus.

2. any small protuberance, as on the surface of certain plants, the skin of certain animals, etc.

3. any unattractive detrimental feature or aspect.

   The biography presents the full story of the prime minister's political career, warts and all.

4. venereal wart.

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wart British  

/ wɔːt /

noun

1. Also called: verruca.  pathol any firm abnormal elevation of the skin caused by a virus

2. botany a small rounded outgrowth

3. with all blemishes evident

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wart Scientific  

/ wôrt /

1. A small growth on the skin caused by a virus, occurring typically on the hands or feet.

2. A similar growth on a plant, especially one caused by a fungal disease.

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Other Word Forms

• warted adjective
• wartless adjective
• wartlike adjective
• warty adjective

Etymology

Origin of wart

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English wearte; cognate with German Warze, Old Norse varta; akin to Latin verrūca “wart”

Example Sentences

So carefully observed are the head’s features that even a small wart marks the left cheek.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2025

The first experiment involved the participants remembering words in order -- words that were similar, either phonetically or in spelling, e.g. "bought," "caught," "taut" and "wart."

From Science Daily • May 14, 2024

Since 1999 The Gruffalo, which also has knobbly knees, turned-out toes and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose, has become a firm family favourite.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2024

Or, if you prefer, an infected face wart that John Candy’s Uncle Buck would suggest a rat gnaw off your body.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2023

Except for her receding chin Turtle Wexler looked every inch the witch, her dark unbraided hair streaming wild in the wind from under her peaked hat, a putty wart pasted on her small beaked nose.

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

Related Words

• blemish
• mole