Sebum is a sebaceous gland secreted oil that conditions and protects the skin and hair. It is produced biologically to lubricate surfaces, prevent water loss, and help form a barrier against irritants. In anatomy and dermatology contexts, sebum is discussed as a natural secretion that varies in amount and composition among individuals and across body sites.
"Sebum production tends to increase during adolescence."
"Excess sebum can contribute to acne in some people."
"A dermatologist may recommend skincare routines that regulate sebum balance."
"Sebum is the oily film you notice on skin after washing and not fully drying."
Sebum comes from Latin sebum, and from the Greek word sebon (fat, grease). The term appears in 16th- to 17th-century medical texts to describe oily secretions from sebaceous glands. The root seb- is linked to greasy substances and fat, with the -um ending denoting a noun in Latin. Over time, sebum broadened in dermatology to refer specifically to the oily secretion produced by sebaceous glands. Early anatomical explorations of skin described sebaceous glands and their secretions, describing sebum's composition as a blend of triglycerides, wax esters, squalene, and free fatty acids. The concept of sebum as a protective, lubricating film on skin dates to classical anatomy and remained central in medical dermatology as microscopes and histology advanced. In modern usage, sebum is discussed in terms of quantity, quality, and its role in skin health, with research addressing how hormones, diet, and climate influence its production and composition.
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Words that rhyme with "Sebum"
-oom sounds
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Sebum is pronounced SI-bum, with the primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈsiː.bəm/. Start with a long E sound /iː/ as in see, then an unstressed second syllable /bəm/ with a light, quick schwa-like vowel in the second syllable. Keep the /s/ soft and avoid adding extra consonants. Audio reference: you can compare to dictionaries that offer native pronunciations, and feel free to say it slowly as SEE-buhm, then speed up to SE-bum.
Common mistakes include pronouncing it as SEE-boom with a long /oʊ/ or saying SEH-bum with a reduced first vowel. The correct is /ˈsiː.bəm/: the first syllable has a full /iː/ and the second is a short, unstressed /əm/. Avoid turning the second syllable into a stronger /m/ onset; keep it as a light, syllabic /bəm/ to avoid adding a /o/ or /ə/ surprise.
Across accents, the /ˈsiː/ onset remains stable. In US, UK, and AU, the main difference lies in the vowel duration and rhotics: UK often retains non-rhoticity, so you hear a shorter /ˈsiː.bəm/ without an r influence; US and AU are rhotic, but /ˈsiː.bəm/ remains similar, with slight American rounding of /ɪ/ or /ə/ in the second syllable depending on speech rate. Overall, pronunciation stays close to /ˈsiː.bəm/ across varieties.
Sebum challenges include maintaining a long /iː/ in the first syllable while keeping the second syllable light and unstressed. The /b/ is a stop that can bleed into a voiced /m/ if rushed, and English often reduces unstressed syllables, which can blur /bəm/ into a shorter, less distinct ending. Practice keeping /siː/ clear, then gently release into /bəm/ with a soft, quick vowel.
There are no silent letters in Sebum. All phonemes are active: /s/, /iː/, /b/, /ə/ (represented in IPA as /ə/ or the reduced vowel), and /m/. The second syllable uses a reduced vowel that is not silent but lightly sounded. Focus on producing a clear /ˈsiː/ and a light /bəm/ to avoid a trailing, silent or skipped sound.
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