Word
tumor
Definition
n. a mass of extra cells that grows in or on the body. Some are harmless, but others can cause serious health problems like cancer.
n. an abnormal mass of tissue resulting from excessive cell division. It may be benign, meaning it does not spread, or malignant, indicating a cancerous growth.
Examples
“The doctor found a small tumor during the routine scan.”
“After the biopsy, the medical team confirmed that the tumor was benign and required no further treatment.”
“Advances in oncology have allowed surgeons to target the tumor with extreme precision, minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy tissue during the procedure.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor found a small tumor during the routine scan.”
contextual
“After the biopsy, the medical team confirmed that the tumor was benign and required no further treatment.”
complex
“Advances in oncology have allowed surgeons to target the tumor with extreme precision, minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy tissue during the procedure.”
Usage
Commonly modified by the adjectives 'benign' or 'malignant' to indicate the level of health risk.
Real-World Examples
“It allowed them to safely remove as much of the tumour as possible.” “Her doctor could not confirm whether it was related to the tumour or not.” “Inside the low-oxygen regions of tumors, however, they can become active.” Etymology
From Middle English tumour, from Old French tumour, from Latin tumor (“swelling”), from tumeō (“bulge, swell”, verb), from Proto-Italic tumēō, from Proto-Indo-European tewh₂- (“to swell”). Related to English thumb.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/tumor
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0