abscesses
The plural of "abscess" is abscesses.
Nouns that end in s, x, z, ch or sh add -es to make the plural, so abscess becomes abscesses.
Meaning: a swollen area of tissue filled with pus (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Use a plural verb with abscesses: the abscesses are. The possessive plural adds only an apostrophe: abscesses'.
How do you pronounce it?
abscess is pronounced /ˈæbsɛs/. The plural ending sounds like /ɪz/, so the plural has one more syllable than the singular.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use an apostrophe to make a plural. abscesses means more than one, while an apostrophe shows that something belongs to someone.
Did you know?
- The -es ending comes from the Old English plural ending -as, which became the standard plural in Middle English.
Examples in context
- The dentist drained two abscesses in one visit.Singular: The dentist drained one abscess in one visit.
- Abscesses can form after an infection.Singular: An abscess can form after an infection.
