# fibrosis

/faɪˈbɹoʊsəs/ (US) · /fɪbɹˈəʊsɪs/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fibrosis
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the growth of extra, thick tissue in your body that happens after an injury or illness. It is similar to how a scar forms on your skin, but it happens inside your organs.

For teachers: the thickening and scarring of connective tissue, usually resulting from injury or long-term inflammation. It involves the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components, such as collagen, which can impair organ function.

## Examples

- The doctor checked his lungs for signs of fibrosis.
- Chronic inflammation of the liver can eventually lead to fibrosis, which prevents the organ from working correctly.
- While the body uses scarring to repair wounds, systemic fibrosis involves a pathological overproduction of tough tissue that can eventually lead to total organ failure if left untreated.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable in its general medical sense; can be modified by the name of the affected organ, such as 'pulmonary fibrosis' or 'cystic fibrosis'.

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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.