psoriasis

noun

pso·​ri·​a·​sis sə-ˈrī-ə-səs 

: a chronic skin disease characterized by circumscribed red patches covered with white scales

psoriatic

ˌsȯr-ē-ˈa-tik 

adjective or noun

Examples of psoriasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bright-light therapy is standard care for seasonal affective disorder, and narrowband ultraviolet light remains a mainstay for psoriasis. —Lynne Peeples, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026

Its current blockbuster is a drug called Bimzelx, which is used to treat autoimmune disorders including psoriasis and inflammatory arthritis. —ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026

Halotherapy is also a service used for skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema, acne and rosacea. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026

After 16 weeks on the medication, about 70 percent of patients developed clear or nearly-clear skin, and 55 percent had a 90 percent reduction in their psoriasis severity. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek psōriasis, from psōrian to have the itch, from psōra itch; akin to Greek psēn to rub

First Known Use

circa 1684, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for psoriasis

• archdiocese
• amebiasis
• candidiasis
• filariasis
• leishmaniasis
• mydriasis
• pityriasis
• cholelithiasis
• elephantiasis
• nephrolithiasis
• schistosomiasis
• urolithiasis

Kids Definition

psoriasis

noun

pso·​ri·​a·​sis sə-ˈrī-ə-səs 

: a skin disease characterized by red patches often covered with white scales

Medical Definition

psoriasis

noun

pso·​ri·​a·​sis sə-ˈrī-ə-səs 

plural psoriases -ˌsēz 

: a chronic skin disease characterized by circumscribed red patches covered with white scales