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Definition of cortisol

cortisol

/ˈkɔːr.tɪ.sɒl/
cor · ti · sol
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cortisol Lexical Profile

cortisol Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that regulates metabolism, reduces inflammation, and mediates the body's physiological response to stress.

Example

"Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which may weaken the immune system over time."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cortisol

Word Nuance & Usage

In clinical and pharmacological contexts, 'hydrocortisone' is the preferred term when referring to the synthetic medication, whereas 'cortisol' usually refers to the hormone produced naturally by the body.

• Nearby Words

corsetry
cortado
cortex
cortisol
cortisone
corubal
corvette

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century as a blend of 'cortisone' (derived from Latin 'cortex', meaning 'bark' or 'outer layer', referring to the adrenal cortex) and '-ol', the chemical suffix indicating an alcohol or sterol.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cortisol. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cortisol
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