adenoidal

adjective

ad·​e·​noi·​dal ˌa-də-ˈnȯi-dᵊl How to pronounce adenoidal (audio)
: exhibiting the characteristics (such as snoring, mouth breathing, and voice nasality) of one affected with abnormally enlarged adenoids : adenoid
an adenoidal tenor
not usually used technically

Examples of adenoidal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The first sound of that voice on the soundtrack, however familiar its adenoidal depths and Cockney slants, sparks reasonable doubt — suspicions confirmed when the maestro’s initial comments concern a huge bust of him in London, erected 20 years after his death. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2022 Cindy Wilson from the B-52’s sings a little flat, and that adenoidal, raw beauty is a huge part of her appeal as a singer. Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2021 But between the adenoidal sneer of his voice and the class-conscious bite of his lyrics, Elvis Costello managed to meet the moment in 1977 as punk rock was sweeping through London and making the old guard irrelevant. Al Shipley, SPIN, 30 Jan. 2022 Their adenoidal squeak and chuckly delivery disguise both the stripping away of human culture and the ineffectuality of that culture that are his chief themes. New York Times, 7 July 2021 Guitarist Chris Shiflett slashes through the mix with tasteful solos, but the true hero is frontman Dave Grohl, who gives a remarkable approximation of Bon Scott’s adenoidal scream. Bryan Rolli, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2017 Cosell was homely, with an adenoidal voice and a collection of toupees. Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 4 June 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adenoidal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adenoidal was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near adenoidal

Cite this Entry

“Adenoidal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adenoidal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

adenoidal

adjective
ad·​e·​noi·​dal ˌad-ᵊn-ˈȯid-ᵊl How to pronounce adenoidal (audio)
: exhibiting the signs (as a nasal voice) of one affected with abnormally enlarged adenoids : adenoid
an adenoidal singer
not usually used technically

Medical Definition

adenoidal

adjective
ad·​e·​noi·​dal ˌad-ᵊn-ˈȯid-ᵊl How to pronounce adenoidal (audio)
: exhibiting the characteristics (as snoring, mouth breathing, and voice nasality) of one affected with abnormally enlarged adenoids : adenoid
not usually used technically
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