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canker sore

noun
Updated on: 22 Apr 2018
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Definition of canker sore

: 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

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See canker sore defined for kids

Recent Examples of canker sore from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'canker sore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of canker sore

circa 1596

in the meaning defined above

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CANKER SORE Defined for English Language Learners

canker sore

noun

Definition of canker sore for English Language Learners

  • : a small painful sore inside the mouth

CANKER SORE Defined for Kids

canker sore

noun can·ker sore \ ˈkaŋ-kər- \

Definition of canker sore for Students

: a small painful sore of the mouth

Medical Dictionary

canker sore

noun

medical Definition of canker sore

: 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

Learn More about canker sore

  1. See words that rhyme with canker sore Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canker sore

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