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Glite Dictionary
hairy tongue

hairy tongue

8.9
A harmless mouth problem where the tongue looks dark and furry because tiny bumps grow too long, often after antibiotics
  • noun
  • /ˈhɛri tʌŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lengua peluda
  • The patient developed hairy tongue after taking antibiotics for several weeks.

Examples

  • Many people experience hairy tongues without any serious health issues.

  • Your doctor can diagnose hairy tongue by simply looking at the surface of your tongue.

  • Proper oral hygiene can help prevent and treat hairy tongue.

  • He was diagnosed with hairy tongue after his antibiotic treatment.

  • The patient developed hairy tongue after taking antibiotics for several weeks.

  • Your doctor can diagnose hairy tongue by simply looking at the surface of your tongue.

  • Proper oral hygiene can help prevent and treat hairy tongue.

Synonyms

black tongue
vshairy tongue
  • Specialized
1 7.3

A temporary dark patch that appears on the tongue often after antibiotics

is a harmless papillae overgrowth that can be longer lasting
furry tongue
vshairy tongue
  • Specialized
7.4

A harmless mouth condition where tongue bumps grow long and look dark

is the preferred medical term rather than an informal alternative

How Coated

furry tongue
  • Specialized
7.4
hairy tongue
  • Specialized
8.9

Surface Forms

hairy tongue singular
hairy tongues plural

Morphology

hairy + tongue

The phrase is a straightforward composition of 'hairy' + 'tongue' and will be understood by a B1 learner as a tongue that appears hairy. Although medically the 'hair' is actually overgrown papillae rather than true hair (a technical nuance), the basic descriptive meaning is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

The term hairy tongue comes from the simple image of tiny bumps on the tongue growing long and trapping color so the surface looks hairy. So, it refers to a harmless problem where the tongue appears dark and 'hairy'.