What does acromegalic mean?
Acromegalic is a medical adjective describing anything related to or characteristic of acromegaly, a hormonal disorder caused by excessive growth hormone production — usually by a pituitary tumor — in adults. The condition leads to gradual enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial features, so an acromegalic patient may show a prominent jaw, enlarged nose, thickened brow, or steadily growing shoe size. The word derives from Greek roots meaning 'extremities' and 'large,' a name that literally captures its most visible symptoms. It appears almost exclusively in clinical, endocrinological, and historical contexts, and it can also serve as a noun for a person with the condition, though careful writers often prefer the phrase 'person with acromegaly.' A closely related term, acromegalic gigantism, refers to the same hormone excess when it begins before puberty, while the bones are still growing.
Relating to or characteristic of acromegaly, a disorder caused by excess growth hormone in adults, marked by enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial features.
"The radiologist noted the acromegalic thickening of the patient's soft tissues."
Used almost exclusively in medical and scientific writing.
A person affected by acromegaly.
"The clinic treats acromegalics from across the region."
Clinical in register; many writers prefer 'person with acromegaly' to avoid sounding depersonalizing.
Applies only when the word is used as a noun meaning a person with acromegaly; the adjective has no plural form.
"The study followed acromegalics before and after surgical treatment."
Acromegalic comes from Greek roots meaning 'large extremities' — a name that literally describes the oversized hands, feet, and jaws the condition produces.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of acromegalic
Acromegalic derives from acromegaly, a term coined in the late nineteenth century from the Greek akron, meaning 'extremity' or 'highest point,' and megale, meaning 'large,' combined with the adjectival suffix -ic. The name was chosen precisely because the disorder's hallmark signs are enlargement of the extremities — the hands, feet, and face. The same Greek roots appear in related words such as acrophobia (fear of heights) and megalith (large stone), making acromegalic a member of a productive family of Greek-derived English vocabulary.
Related word forms
How acromegalic is actually used
Strictly a medical and scientific term, found mainly in clinical, endocrinological, and historical writing; it is not used in everyday conversation. When applied to people, 'acromegalic' as a noun can sound clinical or depersonalizing, so careful writers often prefer 'a person with acromegaly.' The adjective is occasionally extended figuratively to describe grotesquely enlarged features, but such figurative use is rare.
Easily confused with acromegalic
Acromegaly is the noun naming the hormonal disorder itself, while acromegalic is the adjective describing anything related to or characteristic of that disorder (or, as a noun, the person who has it).