hypertrophy
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /haɪˈpɜːrtrəfi/
KK: /haɪˈpɜrtrəfi/
noun
Definition
An increase in the size of an organ or tissue due to the enlargement of its cells, often seen in muscles.
Example
After months of training, he experienced significant muscle hypertrophy.
Conversation
Have you heard about muscle hypertrophy and how it works?
Yeah, it's fascinating how muscles can grow like that!
I read that it happens when the muscle fibers thicken without actually multiplying.
Exactly! That's why weight training is so effective for building strength.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
enlargement
growth
expansion
Antonyms
atrophy
shrinkage
reduction
transitive verb
Definition
To grow or make something grow larger than normal, often referring to muscles or tissues in the body.
Example
Weightlifting can lead to hypertrophy of the muscles, making them larger and stronger.
Tense Forms
Past: hypertrophied
Past Participle: hypertrophied
Conversation
Have you heard about how some people hypertrophy their muscles at the gym?
Yeah, I've seen those crazy before-and-after pictures!
It’s amazing how much they can grow in just a few months.
Root Explanation
Hypertrophy is formed from "hyper-" (meaning over or excessive) and "trophē" (from Greek, meaning nourishment or development). The word describes an excessive growth or development of an organ or tissue due to increased cell size.
Memory Tip
Think of 'hyper-' meaning 'over' and 'trophē' meaning 'nourishment' — this helps you remember that hypertrophy refers to excessive growth or development.
Visually Confused Words
hypotrophy
hemihypertrophy