Definition

A person who has lost one or more limbs due to surgery or injury.

Example

The amputee participated in the marathon with a prosthetic leg.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new support group for amputees in our town?

Yeah, I read about it online — it sounds really helpful.

I think it's great that they're creating spaces for amputees to connect.

Absolutely, it can really make a difference for people going through similar experiences.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Amputee is derived from the verb 'amputare' (from Latin, meaning to cut off) and the suffix '-ee' (meaning a person who is the recipient of an action). The word 'amputee' refers to a person who has had a limb cut off, thus being the recipient of the action of amputation.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who has had a limb 'cut off' ('amputare') — the '-ee' indicates that this person is the one affected by that action.

Visually Confused Words