inflammation
gb/ˌɪnfləmˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɪnfləmˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 8100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
B2
state
1
swelling and irritation in the body
A reaction in part of your body when it is hurt or infected, which makes the area red, hot, swollen, and often painful.
Usage pattern:
inflammation of [a body part]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'inflammation' with 'infection'. An infection is caused by germs such as bacteria or viruses, while inflammation is the body's reaction to many things, including injury or infection. Not all inflammation is caused by infection, and not all infections cause obvious inflammation.
Synonyms
swelling (Everyday word; focuses mainly on the raised size of an area, not the full medical process.)
|
irritation (Can be less serious and may refer to mild redness or discomfort; not always a full inflammatory response.)
Antonyms
health (Describes a normal, well-functioning state of the body without inflammation or disease.)
|
healing (Emphasizes recovery and reduction of damage, which usually involves inflammation going down.)
Collocations
chronic inflammation
|acute inflammation
|reduce inflammation
|inflammation of the joints
|signs of inflammation
|inflammation and pain
Themes
medical
|health
|biology
|body
|science
Examples
- The doctor explained that the pain in my knee was caused by inflammation of the ligaments.
- Ice can help reduce inflammation after a sports injury.
- Blood tests showed signs of chronic inflammation in her body.
- Gum inflammation can lead to more serious dental problems if it is not treated.
- The area around the cut became red and warm, clear signs of inflammation.
Learner examples
- The skin around his ankle has bad inflammation.
- This cream will help reduce the inflammation and pain.
- She has inflammation in her joints when the weather is cold.
- The dentist said the redness in my mouth is from inflammation.
- Rest is important to let the inflammation go down.
Noun
formal
C1
action
2
arousing strong public emotion
The act of making many people feel very angry or excited, often in a dangerous way.
Usage pattern:
inflammation of [feelings / tensions / anger]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this meaning is physical, like medical inflammation. In this sense it is abstract and emotional, usually used in formal writing about politics or society. It is less common than the medical meaning.
Synonyms
provocation (Focuses more on the action that triggers anger; not always as large-scale or intense.)
|
agitation (Emphasizes stirring people up, often politically, and can include organizing action, not just emotional arousal.)
Antonyms
calming (Describes actions or processes that reduce strong negative emotions instead of increasing them.)
|
appeasement (Focuses on making people less angry or hostile, often by giving in to demands.)
Collocations
inflammation of tensions
|inflammation of hatred
|inflammation of public anger
|inflammation of nationalist feeling
Themes
society
|politics
|emotions
|communication
Examples
- The speech was criticized for the deliberate inflammation of racial tensions.
- Responsible journalism should avoid the unnecessary inflammation of public anger.
- Their campaign strategy relied on the inflammation of fear about immigration.
- Scholars have warned that such rhetoric leads to the gradual inflammation of sectarian hatred.
- The film was banned due to concerns about the inflammation of political unrest.
Learner examples
- Some leaders use the inflammation of fear to get more power.
- The article caused the inflammation of anger in the community.
- We must avoid the inflammation of old conflicts between these groups.
- Her words led to the inflammation of strong feelings online.
- The judge warned against the inflammation of hate during the trial.
Noun
literary
C2
action
3
act of igniting something
The act of making something start to burn.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume this fire-related meaning is common because of its connection with 'flame', but in modern English it is rare and usually replaced by words like 'ignition' or 'burning'.
Synonyms
ignition (Standard technical term; more common in modern scientific and everyday use for starting a fire or engine.)
Antonyms
extinguishing (Refers to putting out a fire, which is the opposite of starting one.)
Collocations
inflammation of gases
|sudden inflammation
|inflammation of the material
Themes
fire
|physics
|daily_life
Examples
- The report described the rapid inflammation of the vapors in the confined space.
- A single spark was enough for the inflammation of the dry grass.
- Certain chemicals lower the temperature needed for the inflammation of the mixture.
Learner examples
- A small flame caused the inflammation of the gas.
- The test showed quick inflammation of the dry paper.
- They studied the inflammation of this fuel in the lab.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inflammation
IPA
GB/ˌɪnfləmˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɪnfləmˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - flam - ma - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ma)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: inflammation
- Plural: inflammation, inflammations
Word family
Forms
inflammations
noun
Core family
inflame
verb
inflammatory
adjective C1
Negative and opposite forms
anti-inflammatory
adjective
Expressions
acute inflammation
1/əkjˈut ˌɪnfləmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
short-term sudden inflammation
Inflammation that begins quickly and usually lasts for a short time, often after an injury or infection.
Examples
- Ice is often used to treat acute inflammation after a sports injury.
- Acute inflammation is the body's immediate response to tissue damage.
- The swelling in his ankle was a sign of acute inflammation.
chronic inflammation
1/kɹˈɑnɪk ˌɪnfləmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
long-lasting inflammation
Inflammation in the body that continues for a long time, often for months or years.
Examples
- The patient suffers from chronic inflammation in her joints.
- Doctors say that chronic inflammation can increase the risk of heart disease.
- Changing your diet may help lower chronic inflammation in the body.
inflammation of the joints
1/ˌɪnfləmˈeɪʃən əv ðə d͡ʒˈɔɪnts/
fixed phrase
inflammation in body joints
Inflammation that happens in the places where two bones meet, like knees or fingers.
Examples
- Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation of the joints.
- She has inflammation of the joints in her hands, which makes it hard to write.
- The doctor said the pain comes from mild inflammation of the joints.
reduce inflammation
1/ɹɪdˈus ˌɪnfləmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
make inflammation less severe
To make inflammation in the body less strong, painful, or large.
Examples
- This medicine helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- Doctors recommend ice and rest to reduce inflammation after surgery.
- A healthy diet can reduce inflammation in the body.
signs of inflammation
1/sˈaɪnz əv ˌɪnfləmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
evidence that inflammation exists
Things you can see or measure, like redness or heat, that show there is inflammation.
Examples
- Redness and swelling are classic signs of inflammation.
- The test showed no signs of inflammation in the tissue sample.
- If you notice signs of inflammation, you should see a doctor.