prosthetic

C2+

US /ˌpɹɑsˈθɛtɪk/ UK /ˌpɹɒsˈθɛtɪk/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

adj
relating to or serving as an artificial replacement for a missing or impaired body part

The patient learned to walk confidently with a prosthetic leg.
2

noun
an artificial body part or device used to replace or support a missing or impaired body part

Engineers fitted the runner with a lightweight carbon-fiber prosthetic.
3

noun
an artificial addition applied to an actor's body or face to alter their appearance

The makeup artist used a silicone prosthetic to change the actor's profile.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · relating to or serving as... artificial replacement substitute

2 noun · an artificial body part or... prosthesisartificial limbreplacement device

3 noun · an artificial addition... appliancespecial-effects appliance

Opposites

natural body part

Word family

Derived forms prostheticallyprostheticsprostheticist

Related forms prosthesisprosthodonticsorthoticbionic

Etymology

From New Latin prostheticus, from Greek prosthetikos ("fit for adding"), based on prosthesis ("addition"), from pros- ("toward") + tithenai ("to place"). The word first described something added, then specialized to artificial body parts and appearance-changing appliances.

External links

# prosthetic

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌpɹɑsˈθɛtɪk/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌpɹɒsˈθɛtɪk/

## Meanings
1. relating to or serving as an artificial replacement for a missing or impaired body part
2. an artificial body part or device used to replace or support a missing or impaired body part
3. an artificial addition applied to an actor's body or face to alter their appearance

## Examples
- The patient learned to walk confidently with a prosthetic leg.
- Engineers fitted the runner with a lightweight carbon-fiber prosthetic.
- The makeup artist used a silicone prosthetic to change the actor's profile.

## Synonyms
- prosthesis
- artificial limb
- replacement device
- appliance

## Antonyms
- natural body part

## Derived Forms
- prosthetically
- prosthetics
- prostheticist

## Related Forms
- prosthesis
- prosthodontics
- orthotic
- bionic

## Etymology
From New Latin prostheticus, from Greek prosthetikos ("fit for adding"), based on prosthesis ("addition"), from pros- ("toward") + tithenai ("to place"). The word first described something added, then specialized to artificial body parts and appearance-changing appliances.

markdown