What does testicle mean?
A testicle is one of the two reproductive glands in the male reproductive system. Each testicle produces sperm and testosterone, and both organs are involved in reproduction and sexual development. In ordinary English, testicle is the usual term, while testis is more often used in medical and anatomical writing. The standard plural is testicles, although testes is the customary plural in professional contexts. The word appears in expressions involving health and anatomy, including testicular cancer, testicular torsion, and undescended testicle. Testicle is direct and anatomically specific rather than euphemistic, though informal alternatives such as ball exist. Its origin is especially interesting: it comes from Latin testiculus, a diminutive of testis, a word that also meant “witness” and gave rise to terms including testify, testimony, and attest.
nounA testicle is one of the two male reproductive glands that produce sperm and the hormone testosterone. The plural is testicles; in medical terminology, testes is also standard.
- One of the two male reproductive glands, which produce sperm and testosterone.
"The physician explained that one testicle had become twisted, a condition known as testicular torsion."
"The doctor recommended an ultrasound to investigate pain in the left testicle."
"His football injury required surgery to repair a damaged testicle."
The ordinary English plural is testicles. In medical and anatomical contexts, testes is the standard plural of testis, while testicles is also widely used.
"Both testicles were examined during the medical examination."
Its etymology has a surprising twist: Latin testis meant not only “testicle” but also “witness,” linking the word to English terms such as testimony and testify.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does testicle come from?
English borrowed the word from Latin testiculus, a diminutive of testis, meaning “testicle.” The Latin word testis also meant “witness,” a semantic connection that explains the related English words testimony, testify, and attest. The diminutive suffix in testiculus expresses the organ as a smaller or subordinate form of the original root.
Related word forms
How testicle is actually used
The term is anatomically standard and clinically neutral. In general medical writing, the singular testis and plural testes are preferred; testicle is common in everyday and explanatory English. Plural forms should be used when referring to both organs.
Easily confused with testicle
Testicle and testis both mean a single male reproductive gland, but testis is the more technical term, while testicle is the ordinary English word.
Testes is the standard medical plural, whereas testicles is the ordinary English plural.