nevus

noun

ne·​vus ˈnē-vəs How to pronounce nevus (audio)
plural nevi ˈnē-ˌvī How to pronounce nevus (audio)
: a congenital or acquired usually highly pigmented area on the skin that is either flat or raised : mole

Examples of nevus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company continues to focus on developing therapies for basal cell carcinoma nevus syndrome, prostate, and lung cancers using itraconazole. — Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024 In adults, a Spitz nevus is usually darker in color, somewhere between brown and black.3 Where the Spitz nevus develops is often different for children and adults. — Emily Brown, Mph, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin naevus

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nevus was in 1684

Rhymes for nevus

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Browse Nearby Words

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nevus
nevyanskite
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Cite this Entry

“Nevus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nevus. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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Medical Definition

nevus

noun
ne·​vus
variants or chiefly British naevus
ˈnē-vəs How to pronounce nevus (audio)
plural nevi or chiefly British naevi -ˌvī How to pronounce nevus (audio)
: a congenital or acquired usually highly pigmented area on the skin that is either flat or raised : mole see blue nevus, junctional nevus, spider nevus

More from Merriam-Webster on nevus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nevus

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