MEANING
Containing, producing, or consisting of pus.
Use it for
A wound exuding pus; contamination revealed by drainage; clinical disgustSpecify the discharge rather than relying on a general word such as foul.
Words that belong together
- purulent discharge
- purulent fluid
- purulent wound
On the page
Purulent fluid stained the fresh dressing.
The incision was swollen and purulent.
She noted the purulent discharge before opening the patient's chart.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- purulent
Explore related collections
Usage notes
Primary category: horror. Clinical; identifies the material, not simply a foul smell or dirty appearance. Thick discharge need not always be pus. Adjective; comparison: more purulent, most purulent. Derived/related family (not inflections): purulence (noun).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.