seborrhea

noun

seb·​or·​rhea ˌse-bə-ˈrē-ə How to pronounce seborrhea (audio)
: abnormally increased secretion and discharge of sebum
seborrheic
ˌse-bə-ˈrē-ik How to pronounce seborrhea (audio)
adjective

Examples of seborrhea 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.
Others have conditions like seborrhea, and retinoids can worsen that, too. — Eva Crouse, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2025 In addition to including mineral sunscreen, it’s also formulated with Irish moss extract, which may provide some skin-enhancing benefits, including hydration and help with issues like acne, seborrhea, and rosacea. — Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin sebum + New Latin -rrhea

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seborrhea was circa 1860

Rhymes for seborrhea

See All Rhymes for seborrhea

Browse Nearby Words

seborrhea
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seborrhea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seborrhea. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

seborrhea

noun
seb·​or·​rhea
variants or British seborrhoea
ˌseb-ə-ˈrē-ə How to pronounce seborrhea (audio)
: abnormally increased secretion and discharge of sebum producing an oily appearance of the skin and the formation of greasy scales

More from Merriam-Webster on seborrhea

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seborrhea

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All