Word
comatose
Phoneticsco·matose
US/ˈkoʊməˌtoʊs/
UK/kˈəʊmɐtˌəʊz/
Definition
adj. in a deep sleep that you cannot wake up from. Doctors use this to describe someone who is unconscious and does not respond to anything.
adj. in a state of deep unconsciousness from which a person cannot be roused. Often used in medical contexts to describe a patient's level of consciousness.
Examples
“The patient remained comatose for several weeks after the accident.”
“After the severe head injury, the athlete was comatose for three days while the medical team monitored his brain activity.”
“The patient's family gathered in the waiting room as the neurologist explained that the patient was comatose but showing signs of brainstem activity that suggested a potential for recovery.”
Examples
simple
“The patient remained comatose for several weeks after the accident.”
contextual
“After the severe head injury, the athlete was comatose for three days while the medical team monitored his brain activity.”
complex
“The patient's family gathered in the waiting room as the neurologist explained that the patient was comatose but showing signs of brainstem activity that suggested a potential for recovery.”
Real-World Examples
“Beyond it is a single occupancy room that contains the comatose body of a man who has, in one state or other, been at New Hyde even longer than Dorry.” “The Puerto Rican was one of the sport’s rising stars when he was left comatose for 221 days following a fight with United States boxer Terrel Williams in 2015.” Etymology
* perhaps from French comateux * From Ancient Greek κῶμα (kôma, “deep sleep”) (genitive κώματος (kṓmatos)). Equivalent to coma + -ose (“full of”)
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/comatose