What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tumefaction
Example
The patient was diagnosed with tumefaction in his leg after the accident. [tumefaction: noun]
Example
The tumefaction of the wound indicated an infection. [tumefaction: noun]
swelling
Example
Her ankle had severe swelling after she sprained it. [swelling: noun]
Example
The mosquito bite caused a lot of swelling on my arm. [swelling: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swelling is more commonly used than tumefaction in everyday language. Swelling is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while tumefaction is a more specific term used in medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tumefaction and swelling?
Tumefaction is a more formal term used in medical contexts, while swelling can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
