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Meaning & use

testosterone

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/tesˈtɒs.tə.rəʊn/
US/tesˈtɑː.stə.roʊn/

Meanings

  1. noununcountablemedical

    A hormone involved in reproductive development, muscle growth, bone density, and sex characteristics, typically higher in males.

    Grammar: No plural; learners commonly pair it with levels, high, low, or therapy.

    Patterns

    • high/low testosterone
    • testosterone levels
    • testosterone replacement therapy

    The doctor explained that testosterone naturally changes with age.

    Athletes should not try to alter testosterone without medical supervision.

  2. noununcountableinformalfigurativedisapproving

    Informal talk that treats aggression, risk-taking, or sexual energy as stereotypically male fuel.

    Grammar: Common in phrases like testosterone-fueled; often critical rather than scientific.

    Patterns

    • testosterone-fueled behavior
    • full of testosterone
    • testosterone and competition

    The advertisement sells the truck with testosterone rather than facts.

    Commentators blamed the brawl on crowd noise and testosterone, not tactics.

Common combinations

high testosterone
High testosterone can affect mood and muscle mass, but symptoms vary widely.
low testosterone
Low testosterone may cause fatigue, so a clinician checks several signs.
testosterone levels
Exercise, sleep, and illness can all influence testosterone levels.
testosterone-fueled
The debate turned into a testosterone-fueled shouting match.

Synonyms and how they differ

androgen
Androgen is the medical class of male sex hormones; testosterone is the best-known androgen.
steroid
Steroid is much broader and includes many hormones and drugs, some legal and some banned.
hormone
Hormone is the general term for chemical messengers; testosterone is one specific hormone.

Opposites

estrogen

Word family

testis noun
The male reproductive organ that produces sperm and much testosterone.
testicular adjective
Relating to the testes.

Commonly confused: testosterone or testes? testosterone or testosterona?

testosterone vs testes

Testes are organs; testosterone is a hormone produced mainly by the testes.

testosterone vs testosterona

Testosterona is the Spanish word for the same hormone; English uses testosterone.

Practice

What is the usual Spanish translation of English "testosterone"?

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