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Glite Dictionary
🪞 Distorted self-image 🧬 Physical abnormality
dysmorphia

dysmorphia

9.6
A physical problem in the shape of a body part often present at birth
  • noun
  • /dɪsˈmɔrfiə/
  • Specialized
: disformia
  • Genetic disorders can sometimes result in dysmorphia affecting the limbs or skull.

Examples

  • The doctor noticed signs of dysmorphia in the patient's facial features during the examination.

  • The child was born with a rare form of dysmorphia.

  • Early detection of dysmorphia is important for planning appropriate medical care.

  • Doctors diagnosed her with dysmorphia after examining her.

  • The doctor noticed signs of dysmorphia in the patient's facial features during the examination.

  • Genetic disorders can sometimes result in dysmorphia affecting the limbs or skull.

  • The child was born with a rare form of dysmorphia.

Synonyms

birth defect
vsdysmorphia
  • Specialized
30 3.2

A health problem a baby has when they are born

is the broader term focusing on body shape, not limited to newborns
deformity
vsdysmorphia
30 6.1

A part of the body that has an unusual shape due to birth, injury, or disease

focuses on physical structure often present from birth, not on cause or judgment
disfigurement
vsdysmorphia
9 7.3

A visible change that makes parts of the body look damaged after injury, disease, or birth defect

is a structural abnormality in shape or form often present at birth
congenital defect
vsdysmorphia
  • Specialized
8 4.2

A problem in the body or how it works that is present at birth

focuses specifically on irregular body shape or structure
malformation
vsdysmorphia
  • Specialized
6 6.7

A body part that forms in a wrong way before birth, for example the heart or spine

is the same idea but emphasizes visible shape and structure
congenital anomaly
vsdysmorphia
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A body or organ problem present when a baby is born

focuses on visible structural change rather than physiological faults or causes
congenital abnormality
vsdysmorphia
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A health problem in the body or the way it works that is present when a baby is born

is about irregular body shape rather than broader functional defects
misshapenness
vsdysmorphia
1 8.4

A condition when a body part has an unusual shape, for example a hand or nose

describes the same abnormal structure but stresses being present from birth

Antonyms

normalcy
  • US
37 4.1

The usual state when life returns to the expected routine

How Abnormal

dysmorphia
  • Specialized
9.6
normal
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

dysmorphia singular
dysmorphias plural

Morphology

dysmorphia = dysmorph (semi-transparent) = dys + morph + ia

The suffix '-ia' indicates a condition, which aligns with the physical malformation meaning.

Etymology

Dysmorphia comes from Greek parts dys- meaning 'bad' or 'difficult' and morph meaning 'form' or 'shape'. So, it can also mean a real physical 'bad shape' or wrong shape of a body part, which is why doctors use it for physical differences often present from birth.