scoliosis

noun

sco·​li·​o·​sis ˌskō-lē-ˈō-səs 

plural scolioses ˌskō-lē-ˈō-ˌsēz 

: a lateral curvature of the spine

scoliotic

ˌskō-lē-ˈä-tik 

adjective

Examples of scoliosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The family — from Dublin, Ireland — moved forward monitoring Harvey’s scoliosis over the years. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Many people with scoliosis experience no symptoms and can engage in physical activity just as easily as people without scoliosis. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 10 Aug. 2025

In 1946, the Milwaukee Brace, a cumbersome leather-and-metal device extending from chin to torso, was a groundbreaking yet uncomfortable solution for post-polio scoliosis. —Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

While accuracy is important for all cases, for some conditions like scoliosis the spinal bones can get very thin, which can make placing screws without the robot very challenging, Ross said. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin scoliōsis, borrowed from Greek skolíōsis "slanted or crooked state, curvature of the spine," from skoliō-, variant stem of skolióomai, skolioûsthai "to be bent or crooked" (verbal derivative of skoliós "bent, crooked, askew") + -sis -sis — more at isosceles

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scoliosis

• acanthosis
• acidosis
• alkalosis
• amaurosis
• ankylosis
• asbestosis
• brucellosis
• cyanosis
• dermatosis
• diagnosis
• ecchymosis
• exostosis

Kids Definition

scoliosis

noun

sco·​li·​o·​sis ˌskō-lē-ˈō-səs 

plural scolioses -ˌsēz 

: an abnormal sideways curving of the spine

Medical Definition

scoliosis

noun

sco·​li·​o·​sis ˌskō-lē-ˈō-səs 

plural scolioses -ˌsēz 

: a lateral curvature of the spine compare kyphosis, lordosis sense 2

scoliotic

-ˈät-ik 

adjective