To save this word, you'll need to log in.
par·o·nych·ia | \ ˌper-ə-ˈni-kē-ə 
, ˌpa-rə- \
, ˌpa-rə- \Definition of paronychia
medical
: inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the nail of a finger or toe usually accompanied by infection and pus formation
… chronic paronychia may be related to factors causing a localized inflammatory reaction. These factors may be frequent contact with chemicals, chronic dishwashing, finger sucking as well as the effects of certain medications.— J. Keith Festa Paronychia, a painful infection, can creep under the skin around your nails when the cuticle breaks down, so slather cream around fingertips, too.— Holly E. Thomas and Michelle Thomas
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for paronychia
paronychia
nounpar·o·nych·ia | \ ˌpar-ə-ˈnik-ē-ə \
\Medical Definition of paronychia
: inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the nail of a finger or toe usually accompanied by infection and pus formation — compare felon, whitlow sense 1
Comments on paronychia
What made you want to look up paronychia? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
More Confusing Words—Quiz
- The magician
______moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- More Confusing Words—Quiz
How many of these commonly confused words do you know?
Take the quiz - Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your high score.
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Syn City
Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.
Play the game
Share paronychia
Time Traveler for paronychia
The first known use of paronychia was in 1559
See more words from the same year