# coma

/ˈkoʊmə/ (US) · /kˈəʊmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coma
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. unconsciousness

noun · CEFR B2

a deep state of sleep-like unconsciousness that lasts for a long time, usually caused by a serious injury or illness.

For teachers: a state of deep and often prolonged unconsciousness, typically resulting from severe trauma, disease, or intoxication.

- The driver remained in a coma for two weeks after the car accident.
- Medical staff monitored his brain activity closely while he remained in a medically induced coma to allow his injuries to heal.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'fall into', 'go into', or 'be in'.

### 2. comet cloud

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the glowing cloud of gas and dust that surrounds the center of a comet.

For teachers: the nebulous envelope of gas and dust surrounding the nucleus of a comet, formed when the comet passes close to the sun.

- As the comet got closer to the sun, its coma became much brighter.
- The spacecraft flew through the coma to collect dust samples, providing researchers with data on the chemical composition of the early solar system.

Usage: Usually refers specifically to the head of the comet excluding the nucleus.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialized term; students are unlikely to encounter it outside of astronomy texts.

### 3. plant tuft

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a bunch of hairs or leaves at the end of a seed or a branch.

For teachers: a tuft of hairs on a seed, or a cluster of leaves or branches at the apex of a plant structure.

- The seeds of the plant are topped with a silky coma that helps them float in the wind.
- The botanist identified the species by the distinct shape of the coma attached to the seeds.

Usage: Used as a technical term in botanical descriptions.

## Examples

- The patient fell into a coma after the accident.
- Doctors monitored his brain activity closely while he remained in a medically induced coma to allow his injuries to heal.
- The recovery process for patients emerging from a long-term coma is often non-linear, requiring intensive neurological rehabilitation and constant family support.

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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.