hypodermic

[ hahy-puh-dur-mik ]

adjective

1. characterized by the introduction of medicine or drugs under the skin:

   hypodermic injection.

2. introduced under the skin:

   a hypodermic medication.

3. pertaining to parts under the skin.
4. stimulating; energizing.

noun

1. a hypodermic remedy.
2. a hypodermic injection.
3. hypodermic syringe.
4. the administration of drugs into subcutaneous body tissues.

hypodermic

/ ˌhaɪpəˈdɜːmɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the region of the skin beneath the epidermis
2. injected beneath the skin

noun

1. a hypodermic syringe or needle
2. a hypodermic injection

Derived Forms

• ˌhypoˈdermically, adverb

Other Words From

• hypo·dermi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypodermic¹

First recorded in 1860–65; hypoderm(a) + -ic

Example Sentences

Garbage, campfires, hypodermic needles and feces litter the beach, Hun said.

From Los Angeles Times

Similar to a hypodermic needle, a nematode uses its stylet to pierce cells and pull out food -- in this case from the pseudoscorpion's hypodermis, part of the outer covering known as the integument.

From Science Daily

Aside from a few discarded hypodermic needles on the ground, the Hunter’s Field Playground in New Orleans looks almost untouched.

From Salon

The stingers buried themselves into my skin like mini hypodermic needles — and I enjoyed it.

From Salon

“The internet is a giant hypodermic, and the content, including social media like Meta, are the psychoactive drugs.”

From New York Times