areola

noun

are·​o·​la ə-ˈrē-ə-lə  ˌer-ē-ˈō- 

ˌa-rē-

plural areolae ə-ˈrē-ə-ˌlē 

ˌer-ē-ˈō-ˌlē,

ˌa-rē-

or areolas

: a small area between things or about something

especially : a colored ring (as about the nipple, a vesicle, or a pustule)

areolar

ə-ˈrē-ə-lər 

adjective

areolate

ə-ˈrē-ə-lət 

adjective

Examples of areola in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to a study published in the 2018 Aesthetic Surgery Journal, researchers found that the average diameter of a male areola is about 26.6 millimeters, or 2.7 centimeters. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 July 2025

The nipple and areola work would, indeed, cycle through with all the rest. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025

This can happen to one or both of your nipples, but the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple) does not typically change. —Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 2 Nov. 2024

Whiting’s bare buttocks and Hussey’s bare breasts, including her nipples and areolas, are briefly visible. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, small open space, diminutive of area

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for areola

• amygdala
• allah
• bala
• cala
• cholla
• mala
• sala
• scala
• cabala
• corolla
• impala
• kabbalah

Kids Definition

areola

noun

are·​o·​la ə-ˈrē-ə-lə 

plural areolae -ˌlē  or areolas

: a colored ring (as about the nipple)

areolar

-lər 

adjective

Medical Definition

areola

noun

are·​o·​la ə-ˈrē-ə-lə 

plural areolae -ˌlē  or areolas

: a small area between things or about something: as

a

: the colored ring around the nipple or around a vesicle or pustule

b

: the portion of the iris that borders the pupil of the eye