What does hematologic mean?
Hematologic is an adjective meaning relating to blood, blood-forming organs, or blood disorders. It is especially common in medicine, pathology, hematology, and laboratory science, where it describes abnormalities, responses, malignancies, tests, and other features involving blood or the blood-forming system. For example, a physician might recommend hematologic evaluation for unexplained anemia, or a report might describe a hematologic response to treatment. The word is formal and technical rather than conversational. Hematologic is the usual American spelling; British English generally prefers haematologic, although the meanings and pronunciations are otherwise the same. The adjective is useful in specialist writing because it clearly identifies a subject as belonging to the branch of medicine concerned with blood. It should not be used as a synonym for hematology itself: hematologic describes a blood-related feature, whereas hematology names the study of blood and blood disorders.
adjectiveOf or relating to blood, blood-forming organs, or blood disorders. The term is used especially in medical and scientific contexts.
- Relating to blood, blood-forming organs, or the study and medical treatment of blood disorders.
"The patient underwent further hematologic testing to evaluate the unexplained anemia."
"The patient's hematologic values prompted an urgent investigation for bone marrow failure."
"Hematologic testing is routinely used in patients with unexplained fatigue or recurrent infections."
The same Greek root that gives us “hemoglobin” also powers “hematologic,” linking modern blood science to ancient Greek ideas about blood.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hematologic come from?
Hematologic was formed in English from hematology with the adjective-forming suffix -ic. Hematology in turn combines the combining form hemato-, derived from Greek haima, meaning “blood,” with -logy, meaning “study of.” The same Greek root appears in related terms such as hematoma, hemolysis, and hemorrhage.
Related word forms
How hematologic is actually used
Hematologic is formal and predominantly medical or scientific. American English generally uses hematologic, while British English commonly uses haematologic; both forms are accepted in international technical writing.
Easily confused with hematologic
Hematologic is an adjective describing something related to blood, while hematology is the noun naming the study or branch of medicine concerned with blood.
The two words have the same meaning and pronunciation; haematologic is the standard spelling in British English, whereas hematologic is standard in American English.