canker sore

noun

: a painful shallow ulcer of the mouth that has a grayish-white base surrounded by a reddish inflamed area and is of uncertain cause but is not due to the virus causing herpes simplex compare cold sore

Examples of canker sore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web According to the National Library of Medicine, berberine can also be used for burns, canker sores, liver disease, and many other conditions. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 8 June 2023 Symptoms of celiac disease include cramping, amenorrhea, bloating, brain fog, canker sores, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, infertility, headaches and rash, among others. Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 24 May 2023 Health officials cautioned the public that prolonged direct contact with radioactive material can cause skin rashes, hair loss, canker sores, fatigue, and vomiting. Kaweewit Kaewjinda, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2023 During the first three weeks with my lingual braces, my mouth felt like a giant canker sore. Jessica Wozinsky Fleming, Verywell Health, 13 Feb. 2023 Sometimes, that leads to other issues—including swollen bright red gums or salivary glands, canker sore development, bleeding gums, and gingivitis. Health Editorial Team, Health, 22 Jan. 2023 People can confuse a cold sore for a canker sore, an angry noncontagious lesion that isn’t linked with herpes, or an exceptionally painful pimple, at least in the beginning before the blister opens up. Zahra Barnes, SELF, 3 Jan. 2022 Keith Negley The day after her school closed its doors for social distancing, a canker sore developed in my daughter’s mouth. Danielle Braff, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2020 The headache, canker sore, and chest tightness were the most prevalent symptoms during this time period. Kara Ladd, Health.com, 1 Apr. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canker sore.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of canker sore was circa 1596

Dictionary Entries Near canker sore

Cite this Entry

“Canker sore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canker%20sore. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

canker sore

noun
: a small painful open sore especially of the mouth

Medical Definition

canker sore

noun
: a small painful ulcer especially of the mouth
especially : a painful shallow ulceration of the oral mucous membranes that has a grayish-white base surrounded by a reddish inflamed area and is characteristic of aphthous stomatitis compare cold sore

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