Basic Details
Word: Inflammation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A condition in which part of the body becomes red, swollen, hot and painful, often because of an injury or infection.
Synonyms: swelling, soreness, irritation
How to Spell Inflammation
Syllables: in - flam - ma - tion
Tricky part: Inflame has one m, but inflammation has two. The ending is -ation.
Watch out for: inflamation, inflammasion, inflemmation
Memory tip: Picture the two m's as two red, swollen bumps: infla-MM-ation. The swelling has doubled the letter.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The doctor gave Arjun cream for the inflammation around his insect bite.
Example 2: In some people, pollen causes inflammation inside the nose and sets off fits of sneezing.
Example 3: Turmeric has long been used in Indian homes as a remedy for minor inflammation.
Fun Fact
The Roman writer Celsus listed four signs of inflammation nearly two thousand years ago: redness, heat, swelling and pain.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
infl_m_ation
a) e, m
b) a, m
c) a, a
d) a, n
Show answer
b) a, m. Flame gives the a, and the noun doubles the m.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word inflammation as used in the sentence:
Rest, ice and a bandage helped the inflammation in Kiran's sprained ankle go down.
a) fracture
b) numbness
c) swelling
d) healing
Show answer
c) swelling. When an inflammation goes down, it is the swelling that gets smaller.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. diaghnosis 2. presciption 3. inflammation 4. antibiodic
a) identifying an illness from its signs
b) a medicine that kills bacteria
c) redness and painful swelling in part of the body
d) a doctor's written order for medicine
Show answer
c) redness and painful swelling in part of the body. Antibiotic has a t, diagnosis has no h, and prescription needs an r after the c.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A red, hot and painful knee is most likely a sign of ____.
a) hunger
b) sleepiness
c) inflammation
d) boredom
Show answer
c) inflammation
2. Which verb is inflammation formed from?
a) inform
b) inflame
c) influence
d) inflate
Show answer
b) inflame
