# jaundice

/ˈdʒɔndəs/ (US) · /dʒˈɔːndɪs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jaundice
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a medical condition where your skin and eyes turn yellow. It happens when there is too much of a substance called bilirubin in your blood.

For teachers: a medical condition characterised by the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood. Often indicates a problem with the liver or bile ducts.

## Examples

- The doctor checked the baby for jaundice after birth.
- The patient was admitted to the hospital because his skin had turned a yellowish color, a sign of jaundice.
- While mild jaundice in newborns is often a temporary and harmless condition, persistent yellowing of the sclera can signal a more serious underlying liver pathology that requires immediate intervention.

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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.