# cirrhosis

/sɝˈoʊsəs/ (US) · /sɜːɹˈəʊsɪs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cirrhosis
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a serious long-term disease of the liver where healthy tissue is replaced by hard, scar-like tissue. This makes it hard for the liver to work properly.

For teachers: a chronic disease of the liver characterized by the replacement of healthy tissue with fibrous scar tissue and nodules of regenerative tissue. Often results from long-term damage caused by alcohol or viral hepatitis.

## Examples

- The doctor diagnosed the patient with cirrhosis after several tests.
- Long-term heavy drinking can lead to cirrhosis, which is a leading cause of liver failure worldwide.
- While cirrhosis is often irreversible, early intervention through lifestyle changes and medical treatment can significantly slow the progression of the disease and prevent further liver damage.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.