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How to Pronounce Nevus

Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling

Nevus Pronunciation

NEE-vus

Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables

Syllable Breakdown

NEE

stress here

vus

2 syllables

What is Nevus?

The medical term for a mole — a common, usually benign growth on the skin formed by a cluster of pigmented cells (melanocytes). The plural form is "nevi," and most are harmless, though changes in size, shape, or color should be evaluated.

Questions About Nevus

How do you pronounce 'nevus'?

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Nevus is pronounced "NEE-vus." Say it like you're saying the word "knee" and then add "vus" (rhymes with "bus"). The stress falls on the first syllable, so you say it a bit louder: NEE-vus, not neh-VUS.

What is the plural of 'nevus'?

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The plural of nevus is "nevi," pronounced "NEE-vye" (rhymes with "pie"). Instead of adding an 's' like in English, this medical term uses the Latin plural form because it comes from Latin.

What does 'nevus' mean in everyday language?

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Nevus is the medical term for a mole—those small, often dark spots you might see on skin. In everyday conversation, people just say "mole," but doctors and dermatologists use the word "nevus" to be more precise.

How many syllables does 'nevus' have?

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Nevus has two syllables: NEE-vus. The first syllable (NEE) is stressed and pronounced more strongly than the second syllable (vus).

What is a common mispronunciation of 'nevus'?

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A common mistake is pronouncing it as "NEV-us" (stressing the first part like "nev") or saying "neh-VUS" (stressing the second syllable). The correct way is to stress the first syllable and pronounce it like "knee": NEE-vus.

Where does the word 'nevus' come from?

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Nevus comes from Latin, where it originally meant "birthmark" or "mole." The word has been used in medical language for hundreds of years, which is why it has a Latin plural form (nevi) instead of just adding an 's'.

What medical words are related to 'nevus'?

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Words related to nevus include "nevi" (the plural) and "nevoid" (meaning resembling a mole or nevus). You might also hear "congenital nevus" (a mole you're born with) or "acquired nevus" (a mole that develops later).

Can you use 'nevus' in a sentence?

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Here's an example: "The dermatologist examined the patient's nevus to make sure it looked normal." Or: "She had several nevi on her back that had been there since childhood."