prosopagnosia

noun

pros·​op·​ag·​no·​sia ˌprä-sə-pag-ˈnō-zhə How to pronounce prosopagnosia (audio)
medical
: a form of visual agnosia characterized by an inability to recognize faces

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Now an odd new neurologic symptom has been documented for the first time: prosopagnosia. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 14 Mar. 2023 People with autism have a two- or three-fold higher chance of also having prosopagnosia compared to the general population. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2023 Developmental prosopagnosia can be hereditary and can sometimes go unnoticed in those who have it because they were born with the disorder. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2022 People with prosopagnosia, or face blindness, typically avoid social interactions and can develop social anxiety disorder. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 7 July 2022 Developing prosopagnosia usually happens in early childhood and is not caused by injury. Ebony Williams, ajc, 11 July 2022 Studies show 1 in 50 people may have developmental prosopagnosia. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 7 July 2022 Some children with autism can also have some degree of prosopagnosia, according to NINDS. Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, 7 July 2022 Experts have labeled this condition prosopagnosia, otherwise known as face blindness. Angie Orellana Hernandez, USA TODAY, 6 July 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prosopagnosia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Prosopagnosie, from Greek prósōpon "face, mask, person" + German Agnosie agnosia — more at prosopopoeia

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prosopagnosia was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near prosopagnosia

Cite this Entry

“Prosopagnosia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosopagnosia. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

prosopagnosia

noun
pros·​op·​ag·​no·​sia ˌpräs-əp-ag-ˈnō-zhə How to pronounce prosopagnosia (audio)
: a form of visual agnosia characterized by an inability to recognize faces
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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