malignant
gb/məlˈɪɡnənt/ us/məlˈɪɡnənt/
C1
English
~ 8400
rosszindulatú, malignus, gonosz, fulmináns
C1
TECHNICAL
1
malignus
C2
Usage pattern:
malignant [tumor/cancer/growth/cell]
The biopsy confirmed that the lump was malignant and required immediate treatment.
A biopszia megerősítette, hogy a csomó rosszindulatú, és azonnali kezelést igényelt.
Doctors discovered a malignant tumor in her lung during a routine scan.
Az orvosok egy rutin képalkotó vizsgálat során rosszindulatú daganatot fedeztek fel a tüdejében.
Malignant cells were found in several nearby lymph nodes.
Early surgery can improve survival rates for patients with malignant melanoma.
The scan showed no signs of malignant growth after chemotherapy.
Learner examples
The doctor told him that the tumor was malignant.
Az orvos közölte vele, hogy a daganat rosszindulatú.
They removed a malignant growth from her breast.
Eltávolítottak egy rosszindulatú elváltozást a melléből.
Tests showed that no malignant cells were left in his body.
A malignant tumor can spread to other organs.
She was scared when she heard the word malignant in her test results.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'malignant' with 'benign'. 'Malignant' means the tumor is dangerous and can spread, while 'benign' means it is not cancerous and usually not life-threatening. Another mistake is using 'malignant' before people in a medical context; in medicine, it typically describes tumors, cells, or diseases, not patients.
Meaning
cancerous and able to spread
Collocations
malignant tumor
|malignant cancer
|malignant cells
|malignant growth
|malignant melanoma
|malignant lymphoma
Synonyms
cancerous (More general medical term; focuses on the presence of cancer, while 'malignant' highlights the dangerous, invasive nature.)
Antonyms
benign (Used for tumors or growths that are not cancerous and do not spread, so they are usually much less dangerous.)
Themes
medicine
|health
|science
Definition
Describes a cancer or tumor that is dangerous because it grows quickly and can spread to other parts of the body.
Describes a tumor or cancer that is invasive and likely to grow and spread to other parts of the body, and therefore very serious or life-threatening.
C1
2
gonosz
A2
Usage pattern:
malignant [attitude/hatred/influence/character]
There was a malignant hatred in his voice that frightened everyone in the room.
Olyan rosszindulatú gyűlölet csengett a hangjában, hogy a szobában mindenki megijedt.
The dictator’s malignant regime left a trail of fear and destruction.
A diktátor gonosz rezsimje félelmet és pusztítást hagyott maga után.
She felt a malignant joy in seeing others fail, which disturbed her friends.
Online, a small group of users spread a malignant influence through targeted harassment.
The story portrays greed as a malignant force that destroys families and communities.
Learner examples
The villain in the film has a malignant heart.
A film gonosztevője gonosz szívű.
They tried to stop the malignant influence of the gang in the neighborhood.
Megpróbálták megállítani a banda rosszindulatú befolyását a környéken.
He spoke with a malignant anger that shocked his family.
The book describes a malignant spirit that hurts people.
Many people feared the leader’s malignant plans.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes assume 'malignant' can be used for any kind of 'bad' thing, like 'a malignant test' or 'a malignant day'. It is normally used for very serious evil or harm, especially for people’s character, intentions, or powerful harmful forces. Also, 'malignant' is stronger and more formal than simply 'mean' or 'bad'.
Meaning
deeply evil or harmful
Collocations
malignant hatred
|malignant influence
|malignant spirit
|malignant force
|malignant character
|malignant narcissist
Synonyms
malevolent (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and often used in literary or descriptive contexts.)
Antonyms
benevolent (Describes someone who wants to do good and help others, the opposite of a malignant, harmful nature.)
Themes
emotions
|character
|society
|relationships
Definition
Very bad and cruel, with a strong wish to hurt or damage people.
Having or showing intense ill will, hatred, or a strong desire to cause serious harm or suffering; extremely malevolent or vicious.
C2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
malignant [condition/disease/hypertension]
The patient was admitted with malignant hypertension and required urgent intensive care.
A beteget malignus hipertóniával vették fel, és sürgős intenzív ellátásra volt szüksége.
Some infections can take on a malignant course if they are not treated early.
Egyes fertőzések fulmináns lefolyásúvá válhatnak, ha nem kezelik őket idejében.
The doctor warned that this is a malignant form of the disease with a high risk of complications.
Malignant arrhythmias must be recognized quickly to prevent sudden cardiac death.
Researchers are working to understand why the illness becomes malignant in certain patients.
Learner examples
He was taken to the hospital with malignant hypertension.
Malignus hipertóniával szállították kórházba.
The doctor said the disease had turned malignant and was now very dangerous.
Az orvos azt mondta, hogy a betegség fulminánssá vált, és most már nagyon veszélyes.
In some people, this illness can become malignant and move very fast.
They are studying why the condition is malignant in younger patients.
Malignant disease needs strong and fast treatment.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'malignant' in medical texts always means 'cancer', but it can also describe other very severe, fast-worsening conditions, such as 'malignant hypertension'. In these cases it means extremely serious and life-threatening, not necessarily cancer.
Meaning
very severe, life-threatening disease
Collocations
malignant hypertension
|malignant disease
|malignant course
|malignant clinical course
|malignant form
|malignant progression
Synonyms
life-threatening (A more general, less technical term meaning that a condition could cause death.)
Antonyms
mild (Describes a disease or condition that is not serious and does not usually cause severe harm.)
Themes
medicine
|health
|science
Definition
Describes a very serious illness that gets worse quickly and can cause death if doctors do not treat it fast.
Describes a disease or medical condition that is extremely severe, progresses rapidly, and is likely to cause serious harm or death if not treated immediately.
Grammar
Dictionary form
malignant
IPA
GB/məlˈɪɡnənt/
US/məlˈɪɡnənt/
Syllables & stress
ma - lig - nant (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lig)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: malignant
Word family
Core family
malignancy
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
benign
adjective B2
nonmalignant
adjective
Advanced or less common
malignantly
adverb
Expressions
malignant cancer
1/məlˈɪɡnənt kˈænsɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
cancer that can spread
Cancer that is dangerous because it grows into nearby tissue and can move to other parts of the body.
Examples
- He was diagnosed with a malignant cancer of the liver.
- The test helps doctors tell the difference between benign and malignant cancer.
malignant melanoma
1/məlˈɪɡnənt mˌɛlənˈoʊmə/
fixed phrase
technical
a serious skin cancer type
A very serious kind of skin cancer that can spread quickly if it is not found early.
Examples
- Regular skin checks can help detect malignant melanoma at an early stage.
- He had surgery to remove a malignant melanoma from his back.
malignant narcissist
1/məlˈɪɡnənt nˈɑɹsɪsɪst/
fixed phrase
extremely harmful kind of narcissist
A person who is very selfish and loves only themselves, and also likes to control and hurt other people in a serious way.
Examples
- Many experts describe the dictator as a classic malignant narcissist.
- Living with a malignant narcissist can seriously damage a person’s self-esteem.
malignant hypertension
1/məlˈɪɡnənt hˌaɪpɚtˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
very severe high blood pressure
A very dangerous kind of high blood pressure that goes up fast and can quickly damage the body.
Examples
- Malignant hypertension requires immediate treatment in the hospital.
- Malignant hypertension is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
- Headache and vision changes can be warning signs of malignant hypertension.
- The patient’s headaches and vision changes were caused by malignant hypertension.
malignant tumor
1/məlˈɪɡnənt tˈumɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
a cancerous, spreading tumor
A dangerous tumor that has cancer and can grow into other parts of the body or spread to new places.
Examples
- Biopsy results confirmed that the mass was a malignant tumor.
- The scan revealed a malignant tumor on his kidney.
- Treatment for a malignant tumor often includes surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
- After surgery, the doctors confirmed that the mass was a malignant tumor.