How to Pronounce Epiphora
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Epiphora Pronunciation
eh-PIF-oh-rah
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
eh
PIF
stress here
oh
rah
4 syllables
What is Epiphora?
Overflow of tears down the face due to either excess tear production (lacrimation, such as from eye irritation) or, more commonly, impaired drainage through the nasolacrimal system. It is a symptom that prompts ENT evaluation when the drainage pathway is blocked.
Questions About Epiphora
How do you pronounce epiphora?
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Epiphora is pronounced eh-PIF-oh-rah. The stress falls on the second syllable (PIF), so you say it with extra emphasis on that middle part. A helpful way to remember: think "eh-PIF" as the strong part, then finish with "oh-rah."
What is the stressed syllable in epiphora, and what's the common mistake?
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The stressed syllable is PIF—the second one. The most common mistake is stressing the first syllable and saying EP-if-oh-rah, which is incorrect. Remember: the stress goes in the middle of the word, not at the start.
How do you break epiphora into syllables?
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Epiphora breaks into four syllables: e-piph-o-ra. When you say it slowly, each part gets its own sound, but when you speak normally, the second syllable (piph) is the one that gets the emphasis.
What do the word parts of epiphora mean?
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Epiphora comes from Greek roots: "epi" means "upon" or "over," and "phora" comes from "pherein," which means "to carry" or "to flow." So the word literally means "a flowing over," which makes sense for this condition.
What is the plain English meaning of epiphora?
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Epiphora simply means tears overflowing and running down your face. It's the medical term for when your eyes produce too many tears or when tears aren't draining away properly, so they spill over onto your cheeks.
Are there related words that share the root 'phora'?
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Yes! Other medical words use "phora" to mean flowing or carrying. For example, "diaphoresis" (excessive sweating) and "phosphate" both relate to the idea of something being carried or flowing. Recognizing "phora" can help you understand other medical terms.
How would you use epiphora in a simple sentence?
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You might hear a healthcare provider say: "The patient presented with epiphora in the left eye." This simply means the person's left eye had tears overflowing and running down their face.
Is there a short abbreviation for epiphora?
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Epiphora doesn't have a standard abbreviation that's commonly used in speech or writing. The full word epiphora is typically used in medical documentation and conversation.