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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
translation icon : 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

deformity
vsdysmorphia
31 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
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
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
malformation
vsdysmorphia
  • Specialized
7 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 defect
vsdysmorphia
  • Specialized
3 4.2

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

focuses specifically on irregular body shape or structure
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
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
misshapenness
vsdysmorphia
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
36 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.