Words / B2

deye-uh-REER/ˌdaɪəˈrɪə/

Diarrhoea is a condition in which waste from the body is watery and frequent (British spelling; usually uncountable): acute diarrhoea; a bout of diarrhoea. US spelling is diarrhea. Dysentery is a specific infection; loose stools is a clinical twin. Diarrhoea in the NHS table still needs the cause if given. Mix-up: diarrhoea vs diary; US diarrhea in a UK paper; do not write diarrhoea for ordinary constipation.

Meaning

A condition in which waste from the body is watery and frequent (British spelling; usually uncountable).

Examples

• “Diarrhoea in the NHS table still needs the cause if given, not a medicine slogan.”
• “Travellers’ diarrhoea featured in the health brief, which is still a named setting — quote the advice if given.”

Good to know

acute / travellers’ diarrhoea (UK spelling). US: diarrhea. Close: loose stools. Trap: diary / constipation. Biology and PSHE. Watery frequent stools — UK spelling, name the cause if given.

Near in meaning

loose stools, the runs (informal), dysentery (narrower)

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