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Definition of melanoma
melanoma
/ˌmɛləˈnoʊmə/
mel · a · no · ma
Plural:melanomas
•Adjective:melanomatous
melanoma Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
10
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
Syllables
4
melanoma Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A serious and often aggressive form of skin cancer that develops in the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes, typically triggered by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Example
"The dermatologist recommended a biopsy of the irregular mole to rule out melanoma."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for melanoma• Rhymes for melanoma
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Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 19th century by Scottish physician Robert Carswell from Ancient Greek 'melas' (meaning black) and the medical suffix '-oma' (denoting a tumor or morbid growth).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Melanoma. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/melanoma