# palsy

/ˈpɔɫzi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/palsy
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. medical condition

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a condition where your muscles are weak, shake, or cannot move at all.

For teachers: a condition characterized by paralysis or uncontrollable tremors, often resulting from neurological damage.

- The doctor explained that the weakness in his face was caused by a temporary palsy.
- Bell's palsy typically presents as sudden, unilateral facial weakness, which most patients recover from within several months.

Usage: Often used in specific medical names like 'Cerebral Palsy' or 'Bell's palsy'.

### 2. very friendly

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

acting very friendly or close with someone, often in a way that seems fake or too much.

For teachers: demonstrating an intimate or overly familiar manner. Often used in the reduplicative phrase 'palsy-walsy'.

- I don't like how he acts all palsy with the boss just to get a promotion.
- Despite their public rivalry, the two politicians appeared remarkably palsy behind the scenes during the gala.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used with a hint of disapproval to suggest someone is being too friendly for a selfish reason.

### 3. to paralyze

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to make a part of the body unable to move or feel anything.

For teachers: to affect with palsy; to deprive of the ability to move or function.

- The extreme cold seemed to palsy his fingers, making it hard to grip the key.
- Fear appeared to palsy the witness, leaving him unable to respond to the prosecutor's questions.

Usage: Usually used in a figurative or descriptive sense in modern writing.

## Examples

- They have become very palsy lately.
- The two managers were acting very palsy at the meeting, which surprised everyone since they usually argue.
- While the politicians appeared palsy during the televised debate, insiders knew their public displays of affection were merely a strategic attempt to project party unity.

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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.