Meaning & use
papule
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablemedicalspecialist
A small, solid, raised bump on the skin, often red or pink, commonly seen in acne or some rashes.
Grammar: Countable: one papule, several papules.
Patterns
- a papule on something
- develop papules
- papules and pustules
The dermatologist noted several small papules on the patient's forehead.
Acne often begins with papules that later become inflamed.
The rash consisted of tiny red papules that were itchy.
Word forms
| plural | papules |
|---|
Common combinations
- develop papules
- Some people develop papules after using a new skincare product.
- red papules
- The infection caused red papules to appear on his arms.
- papules and pustules
- The doctor explained the difference between papules and pustules.
- small papules
- Small papules can be mistaken for insect bites.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pimple
- Pimple is the everyday word for a small raised spot on the skin, often inflamed; papule is the medical term for any small solid bump, not necessarily infected.
- bump
- Bump is a general word for any raised area on the skin; papule is a precise medical term for a small, solid one.
- nodule
- A nodule is larger and deeper than a papule, often felt under the skin.
Word family
- papular adjective
- Relating to or consisting of papules, as in a papular rash.
Commonly confused: papule or pustule? papule or macule?
papule vs pustule
A pustule is a raised bump filled with pus, while a papule is solid and contains no pus.
papule vs macule
A macule is a flat spot on the skin, not raised like a papule.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'papule' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A papule is a small, solid, raised bump, so option 2 fits. Option 1 describes a flat spot (macule), option 3 describes a pustule (pus-filled), and option 4 describes a mole (a different skin growth).
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “papule”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.