Definition of HYPERTROPHY

hypertrophy

Meanings

Plural: hypertrophies

Noun

  • abnormal enlargement of a body part or organ
  • An increase in the size of an organ or tissue due to the enlargement of its individual cells.
  • Increase in muscle size through increased size of individual muscle cells; a result of weightlifting, and other exercise. It differs from muscle hyperplasia, which is the formation of new muscle cells.

Verb

  • undergo hypertrophy
    • "muscles can hypertrophy when people take steroids"
  • To increase in size.
  • To enlarge or extend.

Origin / Etymology

From French hypertrophie, from Ancient Greek ὑπέρ (hupér, “over, excessive”) + τροφή (trophḗ, “nourishment”), equivalent to hyper- + -trophy.

Antonyms

atrophy, hypotrophy

Scrabble Score: 27

hypertrophy is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
hypertrophy is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
hypertrophy is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 25

hypertrophy is a valid Words With Friends word