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Meaning & use

otic

adjective·Advancedmedicaltechnical

Last updated

UK/ˈəʊtɪk/
US/ˈoʊt̬ɪk/

Meaning

  1. adjectivebefore a nounmedicaltechnical

    Relating to the ear or used in the ear.

    Grammar: Appears before a noun, mainly in medical or pharmacy contexts: otic drops.

    Patterns

    • otic drops
    • otic solution

    The doctor prescribed otic drops for the infection.

    The label said the otic solution was for use in the ear only.

    Otic problems can cause dizziness and hearing loss.

Common combinations

otic drops
Warm the otic drops in your hands before use.
otic ointment
He applied the otic ointment twice a day.
otic infection
An otic infection can be painful in children.
otic suspension
Shake the otic suspension before each dose.
otic route
The medicine is given by the otic route.

Synonyms and how they differ

aural
Aural relates to hearing or the ear and is more common in general writing, while otic is used for medical products.
auricular
Auricular refers to the ear or its outer part, and is more anatomical.
ear
Ear as a modifier is everyday, as in ear drops, while otic is the technical label.

Word family

otitis noun
inflammation of the ear
otology noun
the study of the ear and its diseases
otologist noun
a doctor who specializes in the ear
otoscope noun
an instrument for looking into the ear

Commonly confused: otic or optic? otic or oral?

otic vs optic

Optic relates to the eye or vision, while otic relates to the ear; they look and sound alike.

otic vs oral

Oral relates to the mouth, and also to speech, which has nothing to do with otic.

Practice

A pharmacist hands you a bottle labeled otic drops. Where should you use it?

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