What does diarrhoea mean?
Diarrhoea refers to a condition in which the bowel discharges waste more frequently than normal and in liquid form rather than solid form. It is not itself a disease but a symptom, most often caused by viral or bacterial infection of the gut, though it can also result from food intolerances, medications, or chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. The word functions as an uncountable noun, so it has no plural; speakers instead speak of "an attack of diarrhoea" or "a bout of diarrhoea." The spelling given here is the standard British form, with American English favouring "diarrhea." In register it sits between the clinical and the everyday: doctors use it precisely, while in casual conversation many people prefer euphemisms such as "an upset stomach." Despite its unglamorous associations, it is a word of real public-health importance, since persistent diarrhoea remains a leading cause of illness worldwide, particularly among young children in regions without reliable access to clean water and rehydration treatment.
nounA condition in which the bowels are evacuated too frequently and in a liquid form; abnormally frequent and watery bowel movements.
- Abnormally frequent evacuation of watery stools, typically a symptom of infection, food intolerance, or digestive illness.
"The travellers were advised to drink only bottled water to avoid an upset stomach or worse, a bout of diarrhoea."
"After eating the suspect shellfish, she was confined to bed with severe diarrhoea for two days."
"Oral rehydration salts remain the simplest life-saving treatment for childhood diarrhoea in much of the developing world."
"Diarrhoea" is an uncountable mass noun and does not take a plural form. Quantify it instead with phrases like "an episode of diarrhoea" or "repeated bouts of diarrhoea."
"He suffered repeated bouts of diarrhoea while travelling abroad."
The word comes from the Greek for 'flowing through' — and it has been making humans miserable since Hippocrates wrote about it over two thousand years ago.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of diarrhoea
The word derives from the Greek "diarrhoia", formed from "dia-" (through) and "rhein" (to flow), literally meaning "a flowing through." It entered English via Latin in the early modern period, appearing by the early seventeenth century. The same Greek root "rhein" gives us several other English words, including "rheumatism", "hemorrhage", and "catarrh", all originally connected to the idea of bodily fluids flowing.
Related word forms
How diarrhoea is actually used
"Diarrhoea" is the standard British spelling; "diarrhea" predominates in American English. It is an uncountable noun, so it takes no plural form — one speaks of "attacks of diarrhoea," not "diarrhoeas." The word is clinical in register; in casual speech people usually say "an upset stomach" or "the runs." It is considered indelicate in polite conversation but perfectly acceptable in medical and everyday practical contexts.
Easily confused with diarrhoea
Dysentery is a specific infectious disease causing severe diarrhoea with blood and mucus in the stool, whereas diarrhoea is the general symptom of loose, watery bowel movements that can have many causes.