Korsakoff's syndrome

noun

A form of amnesia that is seen in chronic alcoholics coupled with nutritional deficits.

Similar
alcoholic dementiaalcohol amnestic disorderKorsakoff's psychosisKorsakov's psychosisKorsakov's syndromepolyneuritic psychosis
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Meanings

nounKorsakoff's syndrome (uncountable)
  1. uncountablemedicineA form of amnesia that is seen in chronic alcoholics coupled with nutritional deficits.

Synonyms & antonyms

noundementia observed during the last stages of severe chronic alcoholism; involves loss of memory for recent events although long term memory is intact

Similar
alcoholic dementiaalcohol amnestic disorderKorsakoff's psychosisKorsakov's psychosisKorsakov's syndromepolyneuritic psychosis
Broader
dementiadementedness
Also see
korsakoff's psychosis

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

Named after Russian neuropsychiatrist Sergei Korsakoff (1854–1900) who discovered the syndrome during the late 19th century.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Czech Korsakovův syndrom
  • Korsakovův syndromform of amnesia
Dutch syndroom van Korsakov, korsakovsyndroom
  • syndroom van Korsakovform of amnesia
  • korsakovsyndroomform of amnesia
  • korsakovform of amnesia
Finnish Korsakoffin syndrooma, Korsakoffin oireyhtymä
  • Korsakoffin syndroomaform of amnesia
  • Korsakoffin oireyhtymäform of amnesia
Cite this entry
APA

Korsakoff's syndrome. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Korsakoff's%20syndrome

MLA

“Korsakoff's syndrome.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Korsakoff's%20syndrome. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Korsakoff's syndrome,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Korsakoff's%20syndrome.

Source: Korsakoff's syndrome on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.