What does the prefix derm- mean?
Derm- (also derma- and dermato-) comes from the Greek derma, which means "skin". It appears mostly in medical vocabulary, always related to the skin and its conditions.
ESEN
Prefix · skin · tissue
derm-
Means "skin": dermatology, dermal, dermatitis, dermatologist, epidermis.
Scientific
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Skin, the largest organ of the body
The skin is the largest organ of the human body, which is why derm- shows up in everything that studies and treats it, from its layers to its most common problems. It also sneaks into zoology: there is a name for thick-skinned animals, like the elephant, that uses this same root. If you see derm- in a word, think skin.
How it is used
Combines with Greek roots in medical and cosmetic vocabulary:
- derm- / dermat- + medicineology → dermatologyitis → dermatitisologist → dermatologistoma → dermatomaoscopy → dermatoscopy
- prefix + derm- (skin layers)epi → epidermishypo → hypodermisendo → endodermispachy → pachyderm
Pronunciation: /dɜːrm/.
How it is pronounced
derm-/dɜːrm/
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Examples
Root word
With derm-
In a phrase
- atologydermatologyDermatology covers everything from acne and eczema to skin cancer diagnosis.
- aldermalThe dermal patch delivers medication directly through the skin.
- atitisdermatitisContact dermatitis flared up after she wore a nickel-plated bracelet for a week.
- atologistdermatologistThe dermatologist recommended sunscreen every day to reduce the risk of melanoma.
- epi + isepidermisThe epidermis acts as the body's first barrier against bacteria and UV radiation.
- isdermisThe dermis sits beneath the epidermis and houses hair follicles and sweat glands.
- pachy + mpachydermElephants are the largest land pachyderms, with skin up to three centimetres thick.
Common mistakes
confusing "epidermis" with "dermis"
"epidermis" = the outermost skin layer (epi- = over); "dermis" = the middle layer beneath the epidermis, containing sweat glands, hair follicles, blood vessels, and nerves
"Epidermis" (epi- = upon/over + dermis): the protective outer surface of the skin. "Dermis" (derm- = skin): the thicker middle layer with structural and functional elements. The hypodermis (hypo- = below) is the deepest layer of subcutaneous fat. A mnemonic: EPI is on top, like an epicentre is above the centre.
A trick to remember it
Think of a dermatologist, the skin doctor: derm- = skin. dermatology, dermatitis.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
What is the difference between "epidermis" and "dermis"?
Frequently asked questions
What does the prefix derm- mean in English?
The prefix derm- means "skin": dermatology, dermal, dermatitis, dermatologist, epidermis.
How do you pronounce derm-?
The prefix derm- is pronounced /dɜːrm/. For example, "dermatology".
Can you give an example of a word with derm-?
"atology" becomes "dermatology". It is a typical example of the derm- prefix.
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