Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

ventricose

adjective ven·tri·cose \ ˈven-tri--ˌkōs \

Definition of ventricose

: markedly swollen, distended, or inflated especially on one side
  • ventricose corollas

Origin and Etymology of ventricose

borrowed from New Latin ventricōsus, from Latin ventr-, venter "belly, womb" + -icōsus (in varicōsus varicose) — more at venter

Learn More about ventricose

  1. See words that rhyme with ventricose

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ventricose? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games