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
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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
See More
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
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 22 Sep. 2023.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on canker sore
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canker sore
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