"The patient had a dark nevus on the forearm that was monitored for changes."
"Biopsy confirmed the nevus was benign but warranted periodic checkups."
"Some people are born with congenital nevi that are present at birth."
"The dermatologist documented several nevi of varying sizes during the exam."
Nevus comes from Latin nevus meaning “birthmark” or “mole,” from the Proto-Italic *nēwus, related to the Greek neuter nēos meaning “new.” The term entered English medical vocabulary via late Latin and medieval medical Latin. Historically, “nevus” was used broadly for any birthmark or pigmented skin lesion, later narrowing to melanocytic nevi (moles) in dermatology. The pronunciation and usage solidified in medical texts by the 18th and 19th centuries, with the plural nevi/nevuses appearing as clinicians discussed multiple lesions. The term remains a staple in dermatology, dermatopathology, and clinical exams, often distinguished from melanoma by context, appearance, and histology. In modern usage, nevus is a technical noun used by professionals and educated lay readers alike, retaining its Latin plural forms (nevi/nevuses) in common practice. First known use in English traces to translations of medical Latin works in the 17th–18th centuries, aligning with broader adoption of Latin-based anatomical vocabulary across Europe.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Nevus" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Nevus" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Nevus" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Nevus"
-nus sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Pronounce it as /ˈniː.vəs/ in US English, with the first syllable stressed and a short, unstressed second syllable. The vowel is a long E in the first syllable, and the second syllable uses a schwa-like /ə/ plus an /s/. IPA: US /ˈniː.vəs/, UK /ˈniː.vəs/, AU /ˈniː.vəs/. Mouth positions: start with a wide smile for /iː/, tongue high and relaxed; then a quick, neutral vowel for /ə/ and final /s/ with a soft sibilant. Audio reference: you’ll hear this near any medical pronunciation guide; try saying “NEE-vus.”
Common errors: misplacing the stress (say NEE-vus is correct; some say ni-VEWS or ne-VEWS). Another is elongating the second syllable or turning /ə/ into a full vowel like /eɪ/. Correct by keeping /ˈniː/ stressed and the second syllable as a quick /vəs/ with a short, unstressed vowel. Practice with minimal pairs: /ˈniː.vəs/ vs /ˈniː.veɪs/ to feel the final /s/. Record yourself to ensure the second syllable is light and reduced.
Across accents, the core /ˈniː.vəs/ stays similar. In some UK and Australian speech, you may hear a slightly clipped /ˈniː.vəs/ without rhoticity changes since /r/ isn’t involved. Australians may reduce the second syllable a touch more, giving /ˈniː.vəs/ with a more schwa-like /ə/. US and UK share the same /ˈniː.vəs/, but Americans may have a more pronounced /v/ and a sharper final /s/. IPA remains /ˈniː.vəs/ across varieties, with minor vowel quality differences.
Difficulties include the initial long /iː/ and the two-syllable rhythm, which can cause second-syllable reduction to blur. The /ə/ in the second syllable is subtle and often sounds like /ɪ/ or /eɪ/ without careful relaxation of the jaw and tongue. The final /s/ requires crisp sibilance without adding a vowel after it. Practicing slow, then with speed builds accurate timing and reduces intrusive vowel sounds.
Nevus has no silent letters, but the second syllable is unstressed and reduced; you should feel the stress on the first syllable. The word is not pronounced with a hard consonant before /v/, so avoid inserting an extra syllable or a /ju/ sound. Focus on keeping /ˈniː/ clear and /vəs/ quick and unobtrusive. If you’re unsure, mimic the cadence of other medical terms ending in -us with a short, crisp second syllable.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Nevus"!
No related words found
