English Reference

Word

hypothermia

Phoneticshy·pother·mia

US/ˌhaɪpəˈθɝmiə/

UK/hˌaɪpəʊθˈɜːmiɐ/

Definition

n. a dangerous medical condition where your body loses heat too fast and your temperature drops below normal. It usually happens when you stay in very cold weather for too long.

n. a medical condition characterized by a core body temperature below 35 degrees Celsius, typically resulting from prolonged exposure to cold environments.

Examples

“The hikers suffered from hypothermia after their tent collapsed in the storm.”

“Even a short time in freezing water can lead to hypothermia if a person is not wearing a dry suit.”

“Emergency responders must act quickly to treat hypothermia, as the body's metabolic processes slow significantly once the core temperature falls below critical thresholds.”

Examples

simple

“The hikers suffered from hypothermia after their tent collapsed in the storm.”

contextual

“Even a short time in freezing water can lead to hypothermia if a person is not wearing a dry suit.”

complex

“Emergency responders must act quickly to treat hypothermia, as the body's metabolic processes slow significantly once the core temperature falls below critical thresholds.”

Real-World Examples

“Hypothermia poses a serious risk for hikers even in the summer.”
The Guardian · 22 Aug 2026
“Sebastian Marinescu, from the area’s mountain rescue service, previously told the BBC the 18-year-old “was disoriented, physically exhausted, and already showing signs of hypothermia” when they received the emergency call.”
The Guardian · 15 Aug 2026

Etymology

From New Latin, from Ancient Greek ὑπο- (hupo-, “under”) + θέρμη (thérmē, “heat”) + -ία (-ía, “feminine suffix”) . By surface analysis, hypo- + therm- + -ia.

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

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference