nevus

N1E1V4U1S1
/ˈniːvəs/

noun

Any of a number of different, usually benign, pigmented, raised or otherwise abnormal lesions of the skin.

“Most birthmarks and moles fall into the category of nevi.”

Similar
birthmark
OriginLatin naevu ← Proto-Italic [Term?] ← Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥h₁iwós →
UncommonScrabble 8
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Meanings

nounnevus (plural nevi)

plural nevi · alternative naevus · alternative nævus

  1. dermatologyAny of a number of different, usually benign, pigmented, raised or otherwise abnormal lesions of the skin.

    Most birthmarks and moles fall into the category of nevi.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna blemish on the skin that is formed before birth

Similar
birthmark
Broader
blemishdefectmar
Also see
birthmarkmole

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*ǵenh₁-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*ǵn̥h₁iwós
  3. Proto-Italic[Term?]
  4. Latingnaevus
  5. Latinnaevu
  6. Englishnevus

Learned borrowing from Latin naevus.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

venus
Cite this entry
APA

nevus. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nevus

MLA

“nevus.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nevus. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “nevus,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nevus.

Source: nevus on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.