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ulcerative

American  
[uhl-suh-rey-tiv, -ser-uh-tiv] / ˈʌl səˌreɪ tɪv, -sər ə tɪv /

adjective

  1. causing ulceration.

  2. of the nature of or characterized by ulceration.


ulcerative British  
/ ˈʌlsərətɪv /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or characterized by ulceration

    ulcerative colitis

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of ulcerative

1565–75; < Medieval Latin ulcerātīvus, equivalent to Latin ulcerāt ( us ) ( see ulcerate) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The company said its lead drug candidate, obefazimod, met the primary and key secondary goals in a late-stage trial for ulcerative colitis, but analysts pointed to safety concerns that surfaced in the study.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, has not been studied extensively when it comes to diet.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

Lucy Smith-Butler, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2017.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Abivax’s primary drug, obefazimod for ulcerative colitis, is in late-stage clinical trials and not yet approved for sale.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

His most troubling conditions were a strangely recurrent viral pneumonia, chronic sinusitis, and the ulcerative colitis that had laid him low the weekend before his scheduled testimony against Oppenheimer.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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