Tourette's syndrome

noun

Tou·​rette's syndrome tu̇-ˈrets- 

variants or Tourette syndrome

tu̇-ˈret- 

: a familial neurological disorder of variable expression that is characterized by recurrent involuntary tics involving body movements (such as eye blinks or grimaces) and vocalizations (such as grunts or utterance of inappropriate words), often has one or more associated conditions (such as obsessive-compulsive disorder), is more common in males than females, and usually has an onset in childhood and often stabilizes or ameliorates in adulthood

Examples of Tourette's syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Capaldi, 28, revealed in September 2022 that he had been diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome. —Marina Watts, People.com, 7 July 2025

It is used in the treatment of neurological conditions including Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and Tourette's syndrome. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 12 June 2024

Lewis Capaldi at Glastonbury | Credit: Harry Durrant/Getty Images Capaldi recently opened up about several health struggles, including his battle with Tourette's syndrome, which produces involuntary body movements and vocal outbursts, as well as anxiety. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 27 June 2023

Capaldi also revealed in September that he's been diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, which often causes his shoulder to twitch. —Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 10 Jan. 2023

There is actually not just a little bit of artistry in the IRS's timing which is worthy of admiration, the sudden onset of Tourette's syndrome amongst some tax planners notwithstanding. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2021

Like Durbin, as a child, List was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, which manifests via vocal and facial tics. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2021

Conditions covered under the new directive include Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Tourette's syndrome, ADHD, Spina Bifida and hearing and vision impairments. —Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 12 Feb. 2021

About three months ago, otherwise healthy girls at a high school in LeRoy, NY, started stuttering, jerking, and making odd noises, among other symptoms similar to Tourette's syndrome, a neurological disorder. —Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2012

Word History

Etymology

Georges Gille de la Tourette †1904 French physician

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Tourette's syndrome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome

Medical Definition

Tourette's syndrome

noun

variants or Tourette syndrome

: a familial neurological disorder of variable expression that is characterized by multiple recurrent involuntary tics involving body movements (as eye blinks, grimaces, or knee bends) and vocalizations (as grunts, snorts, or utterance of inappropriate words), that often has one or more associated conditions (as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or obsessive-compulsive behavior), that is more common in males than females, and that usually has an onset in childhood and often stabilizes or ameliorates in adulthood

—abbreviation TS

called also Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, Tourette's disease, Tourette's disorder