English Reference

Word

follicle

Phoneticsfol·li·cle

US/ˈfɑɫəkəɫ/

UK/fˈɒlɪkəl/

Definition

n. a small, tiny pocket or sac in the body that holds something. In humans, it is the tiny hole in your skin where a hair grows.

n. a small sac or cavity in the body, typically containing a developing cell or structure. In dermatology, it refers to the tiny opening in the skin through which a hair shaft grows.

Examples

“The doctor checked the hair follicle for signs of infection.”

“Each hair follicle is a complex structure that contains the cells responsible for hair growth and pigment production.”

“The endocrinologist explained that the thyroid follicle is lined with cells that produce and store the hormones necessary for regulating the body's metabolic rate.”

Examples

simple

“The doctor checked the hair follicle for signs of infection.”

contextual

“Each hair follicle is a complex structure that contains the cells responsible for hair growth and pigment production.”

complex

“The endocrinologist explained that the thyroid follicle is lined with cells that produce and store the hormones necessary for regulating the body's metabolic rate.”

Real-World Examples

“Hair follicles are the smallest, most numerous organs in our bodies, but they form in ways similar to those of other organs, the scientists say.”
Phys.org · 21 Aug 2026
“Severe scars often lack hair follicles, sweat glands and nerve endings, reducing the ability to experience touch and to regulate body temperature.”
Smithsonian Magazine · 24 Jun 2026

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin folliculus.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domains

AnatomyBotany

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference