English Reference

Word

ovarian

Phoneticsovar·i·an

US/oʊˈvɛˌɹiən/

UK/əʊvˈeəɹiən/

Definition

adj. relating to the ovaries, which are the parts of a female body that produce eggs.

adj. relating to or involving the ovaries. Typically used in medical contexts to describe anatomical structures, physiological processes, or pathological conditions.

Examples

“The doctor discussed her ovarian health during the checkup.”

“Ovarian cysts are common and often disappear on their own without medical intervention.”

“Early detection of ovarian cancer remains a significant challenge in oncology because symptoms often mimic less serious gastrointestinal issues, leading to delayed diagnosis.”

Examples

simple

“The doctor discussed her ovarian health during the checkup.”

contextual

“Ovarian cysts are common and often disappear on their own without medical intervention.”

complex

“Early detection of ovarian cancer remains a significant challenge in oncology because symptoms often mimic less serious gastrointestinal issues, leading to delayed diagnosis.”

Usage

Relational adjective — typically used attributively before a noun.

Real-World Examples

“The researchers next tested the cells in mouse models of ovarian cancer.”
ScienceDaily · 11 Sept 2026
“One familiar example is the decline in ovarian function that contributes to the biological clock associated with female fertility.”
ScienceDaily · 24 Aug 2026

Etymology

c 1840 ovary + -an

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

Word family

ovarianAdjectiveovaryNoun

Domain

Medicine

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference