Definition

A condition characterized by the frequent passage of loose or watery stools, often indicating a problem in the digestive system.

Example

After eating the spoiled food, he suffered from diarrhea for several days.

Conversation

I felt terrible after eating that street food yesterday.

Oh no! Did you get diarrhea?

Yeah, it was really bad all night.

That sounds awful! Make sure to drink plenty of water.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Diarrhea comes from the Greek word "diarrhoia" (meaning flowing through), which is formed from "dia-" (meaning through) and "rhein" (meaning to flow). The term describes the condition of having frequent and watery bowel movements, indicating that waste is flowing through the intestines too quickly.

Memory Tip

Think of the prefix 'dia-' meaning 'through' and the root 'rhein' meaning 'to flow' — this helps you remember that diarrhea refers to waste flowing through the body too quickly.

Visually Confused Words