deformity

noun

de·​for·​mi·​ty di-ˈfȯr-mə-tē How to pronounce deformity (audio)
dē-
plural deformities
1
: the state of being deformed
2
: imperfection, blemish: such as
a
: a physical blemish or distortion : disfigurement
b
: a moral or aesthetic flaw or defect

Examples of deformity in a Sentence

a disease causing deformity of the spine a primitive culture that cast aside infants born with deformities, allowing them to die of exposure to the elements
Recent Examples on the Web The event supports the nonprofit’s efforts to provide free reconstructive surgery and health care services to disadvantaged children and young people with physical deformities. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 Maddox suffered blunt force trauma to the forehead, deformities to her head and several lacerations, according to court documents. Landon Mion, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2024 Investigators said Maddox had multiple lacerations, deformities in her head and blunt-force trauma, according to court documents. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024 Alligators are prone to deformities due to their violent lifestyle, but this is something new, the University’s of Georgia’s Coastal Ecology Lab wrote in a Feb. 19 Facebook post. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 Stoltz's first film role was playing a stoner in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), and he was nominated for a Golden Globe for playing a teenager living with a facial deformity in Mask (1985). Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2024 The resultant facial deformities cause lifelong problems including drooling and difficulty eating. John Button, STAT, 16 Dec. 2023 The rare genetic bone disorder makes people more susceptible to breaking and fracturing bones and leads to bone deformities and a curved spine, according Johns Hopkins Medicine. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 9 Jan. 2024 The book hints that Alex is concealing some kind of physical deformity. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deformite, from Middle French defformeteit, from Latin deformitat-, deformitas, from deformis deformed, from de- + forma

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deformity was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near deformity

Cite this Entry

“Deformity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deformity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deformity

noun
de·​for·​mi·​ty di-ˈfȯr-mət-ē How to pronounce deformity (audio)
plural deformities
1
: the state of being deformed
2
: a physical blemish or twisting out of a natural shape or condition
3
: a morally disgusting or artistically ugly imperfection

Medical Definition

deformity

noun
de·​for·​mi·​ty di-ˈfȯr-mət-ē How to pronounce deformity (audio)
plural deformities
1
: the state of being deformed
2
: a physical blemish or distortion
deformities caused by thalidomide

More from Merriam-Webster on deformity

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