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How to Pronounce Acne Vulgaris

Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling

Acne Vulgaris Pronunciation

AK-nee vul-GAIR-is

Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables

Syllable Breakdown

AK

stress here

nee vul
GAIR

stress here

is

4 syllables

What is Acne Vulgaris?

Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog up. Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest, ...

Definition sourced from MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Questions About Acne Vulgaris

How do you pronounce 'acne vulgaris'?

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Say it like this: AK-nee vul-GAIR-is. The first word rhymes with 'hackney,' and the second word sounds like 'vul' (like the start of 'vulture') plus 'GAIR' (rhymes with 'hair') plus 'is.' The stress falls on the first syllable of the first word: AK-nee.

What's the most common way people mispronounce this term?

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Many people stress the wrong syllable and say 'ak-NEE' instead of 'AK-nee.' Others rush through 'vulgaris' and say it like 'vul-GAR-us,' but the correct way ends with an 'is' sound (like the plural word 'is').

How do you break 'acne vulgaris' into syllables?

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It breaks into four syllables: AC-ne vul-GAR-is. The first two syllables make up 'acne,' and the last two make up 'vulgaris.'

What does 'acne vulgaris' mean in everyday language?

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It's the medical name for common acne—the regular pimples and bumps that many people get on their skin. 'Vulgaris' is Latin for 'common,' so the term literally means 'common acne.'

Where does the word 'vulgaris' come from?

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It comes from Latin and means 'common' or 'ordinary.' Doctors use this Latin term to separate regular acne from other, rarer types of acne conditions.

Are there other medical words that use 'vulgaris'?

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Yes! Other medical conditions also use this Latin word, like 'pemphigus vulgaris' (a rare skin disorder) and 'vitiligo vulgaris.' In each case, 'vulgaris' means it's the most common type of that condition.

Is there a shorter way to say or write 'acne vulgaris'?

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Most doctors and regular people just say 'acne' to mean the same thing. The full term 'acne vulgaris' is mainly used in medical writing and textbooks to be more precise about which type of acne is being discussed.

How would you use 'acne vulgaris' in a sentence?

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You might hear: 'The dermatologist diagnosed her with acne vulgaris' or 'Acne vulgaris is the most common skin condition in teenagers.' It's used whenever you need the formal, medical name instead of just saying 'acne.'