What does rheumatoid mean?
Rheumatoid is a medical adjective used almost exclusively in the name rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that can affect the joints and surrounding tissues. Unlike the word arthritis, which can describe many forms of joint inflammation, rheumatoid identifies a particular condition commonly associated with symmetrical inflammation, swelling, pain, and stiffness, especially in the hands, wrists, and feet. The term is used in both British and American medical English. It also appears in related technical expressions such as rheumatoid factor, a blood test associated with the condition, and rheumatoid nodules, which are firm tissue deposits that can develop beneath the skin. In ordinary conversation, “rheumatoid” is uncommon unless someone is discussing a diagnosis, symptom, test, or treatment. It is more specific than the general adjective rheumatic and should not be treated as an interchangeable label for all forms of arthritis.
adjectiveRelating to rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the joints. In general medical usage, the term is chiefly used in the established name “rheumatoid arthritis.”
- Relating to rheumatoid arthritis or to the characteristic chronic inflammatory condition affecting the joints.
"The doctor diagnosed her with rheumatoid arthritis after examining the inflammation in her hands."
"Rheumatoid arthritis can cause painful swelling and stiffness in several joints."
"Her rheumatoid symptoms became more pronounced during the winter."
Rheumatoid arthritis is not simply named for joint pain: it is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joint lining.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rheumatoid come from?
Rheumatoid combines the element rheumat- with the suffix -oid, which is used in forming adjectives meaning “resembling” or “of the form of.” The underlying base is related to Greek rheuma, referring to a flow or discharge, and later came to be associated with rheumatic conditions. The medical use developed in the 19th century, and the compound rheumatoid arthritis became established as the name for a particular form of inflammatory arthritis.
Related word forms
How rheumatoid is actually used
This is primarily a medical term and is most often used with “arthritis.” It should not be used as a general synonym for arthritic or rheumatic.
Easily confused with rheumatoid
“Rheumatic” describes conditions involving rheumatic fever or rheumatism, whereas “rheumatoid” is principally used in the specific name rheumatoid arthritis.