occluded

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparablemedical

   Blocked or closed off, so that something cannot pass through, as with a blood vessel or an opening.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: an occluded artery; the vein was occluded.

   Patterns

   • an occluded artery
   • become occluded

   Doctors found an occluded artery that was limiting blood flow to the heart.

   The drainage pipe became occluded with leaves and mud.

   An occluded vein in the leg can cause swelling and pain.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nountechnical

   Describing a weather front where a cold front has overtaken a warm front and lifted the warm air off the ground.

   Grammar: Almost always placed before front: an occluded front.

   Patterns

   • an occluded front

   The weather map showed an occluded front moving across the coast.

   Occluded fronts often bring a long spell of cloud and rain.

   The forecaster explained how the front had become occluded overnight.

3. 3adjectivecomparableformal

   Hidden or hard to see because something has moved in front of it.

   Grammar: Often used for views or images: the view was occluded by a tree.

   Patterns

   • occluded by something

   The sign was partly occluded by a large delivery truck.

   In the photo, her face is occluded by a hat.

   Cameras struggle to track objects that are occluded by other people.

Common combinations

occluded artery

An occluded artery may need surgery.

occluded front

An occluded front is bringing heavy rain tonight.

partially occluded

The road sign was partially occluded by branches.

occluded by

The moon was occluded by thick cloud.

occluded view

We had an occluded view of the stage from our seats.

Synonyms and how they differ

blocked

Blocked is the everyday word for anything stopped up, while occluded sounds clinical or scientific.

obstructed

Obstructed is formal like occluded but is more often used for views, paths and traffic than for blood vessels.

hidden

Hidden only says something cannot be seen, while occluded suggests that something sits in the way.

clogged

Clogged suggests a build-up of sticky or solid material inside a pipe or passage, which is narrower than occluded.

Opposites

Word family

occlude verb

to block or close off

occlusion noun

a blockage or the act of blocking

occlusive adjective

tending to block or close

unoccluded adjective

not blocked or hidden

Commonly confused: occluded or occluded vs. occupied?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “occluded”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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