hypoglycemic

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˌhaɪpoʊɡlaɪˈsiːmɪk/

KK: /haɪpoʊɡlaɪˈsiːmɪk/

adjective

Definition

Relating to a condition where there is a low level of sugar in the blood.

Example

The doctor prescribed a hypoglycemic medication to help manage her blood sugar levels.

Conversation

I heard that you felt a bit off after lunch yesterday.

Yeah, I think I might have gone a little too long without eating properly.

Did you check if your blood sugar was hypoglycemic?

I should have, but I just thought it was a normal dip.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

glucose-lowering

sugar-reducing

insulinogenic

Antonyms

hyperglycemic

sugar-raising

glucose-increasing

Root Explanation

Hypoglycemic → It is formed from "hypo-" (meaning under or below) and "glycēmia" (from Greek "glykys", meaning sweet, and "haima", meaning blood). The word describes a condition of having low levels of sugar in the blood.

Memory Tip

Think of 'hypo-' meaning 'under' and 'glycēmia' relating to 'sugar in the blood' — so hypoglycemic refers to having less sugar in the blood.

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