Word
encephalopathy
Phoneticsen·cephalopa·thy
US/ɛnˌsɛfəˈɫɔpəθi/
UK/ɛnsˌɛfɐlˈɒpəθi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a disease or damage in the brain that changes how you think, feel, or move.
n. disease, damage, or malfunction of the brain, typically marked by confusion, memory loss, or changes in behaviour and consciousness.
Examples
“The infection causes encephalopathy and severe confusion.”
“After days in intensive care, doctors say liver failure has led to encephalopathy, which explains his confusion.”
“Chronic hepatic encephalopathy can subtly erode memory and judgment long before overt disorientation appears, making early detection essential for effective treatment.”
Examples
simple
“The infection causes encephalopathy and severe confusion.”
contextual
“After days in intensive care, doctors say liver failure has led to encephalopathy, which explains his confusion.”
complex
“Chronic hepatic encephalopathy can subtly erode memory and judgment long before overt disorientation appears, making early detection essential for effective treatment.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “encephalopathy” in context.
Verb
01. develop encephalopathy
“Patients with liver failure may develop encephalopathy rapidly.”
verb + noun
02. diagnose encephalopathy
“Neurologists diagnosed encephalopathy after MRI and blood tests.”
verb + noun
03. encephalopathy progresses
“If untreated, encephalopathy progresses to stupor and coma.”
noun + verb
04. encephalopathy worsens
“Without treatment, encephalopathy worsens over several days.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. acute encephalopathy
“The infection precipitated acute encephalopathy with delirium.”
adj + noun
06. chronic encephalopathy
“Repeated head injuries can lead to chronic encephalopathy in later life.”
adj + noun
07. hepatic encephalopathy
“Cirrhosis can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, causing confusion and drowsiness.”
adj + noun
08. hypoxic encephalopathy
“Cardiac arrest left him with hypoxic encephalopathy and memory loss.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. case of encephalopathy
“The team reported a severe case of encephalopathy after poisoning.”
noun + prep + noun
10. chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes
“Research links repeated concussions to chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes.”
11. develop signs of encephalopathy
“Patients with liver failure often develop signs of encephalopathy.”
12. early treatment of encephalopathy
“Early treatment of encephalopathy can prevent permanent brain damage.”
Real-World Examples
“The studies were testing a new version of the company's antibiotic rifaximin, which is approved in the United States to reduce the risk of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a condition where the liver can not remove toxins from the blood, allowing them to build up and impair brain function.” Etymology
From encephalo- + -pathy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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