cortisol

IPA/ˈkɔːtɪzɒl/
KK[kˈɔrtɪsˌɔl]IPA/ˈkɔːrtɪzɑːl/

cortisol — noun

1. The body's adrenal glands — two small organs located just above the kidneys — na

1.nounB2
Definition

The body's adrenal glands — two small organs located just above the kidneys — naturally produce this hormone. It helps the body respond to stress, keeps blood sugar at the right level, and controls swelling. Cortisol is often called the 'stress hormone' because the amount in your blood goes up when you feel afraid, worried, or in danger.

Example

Olivia's doctor said her constant tiredness might be linked to high cortisol levels from work stress.

collocation: high cortisol levels

When Vinícius heard a loud crash outside the window, his body released extra cortisol to prepare him for action.

Common collocations
  • cortisol levels
  • cortisol production
  • released cortisol
  • high cortisol
  • low cortisol
Synonyms
  • stress hormone

    Everyday term for cortisol; less precise scientifically, but common in popular media.

  • hydrocortisone

    The pharmaceutical name for cortisol when used as a drug; not a natural-process synonym.

Grammar Patterns

cortisol + noun (cortisol levels / cortisol production)

Usage Note

Often appears in health and lifestyle contexts. 'Cortisol levels' typically refers to the amount of cortisol circulating in the blood.

Common Mistakes

Cortisol and adrenaline are the same stress hormone.
Cortisol and adrenaline are both stress hormones, but they have different roles
cortisol affects metabolism and energy, while adrenaline triggers the fight-or-flight response.' — They are related but not identical in function.

2. A form of cortisol made into a medical drug, used to reduce swelling, pain, and

2.nounC1
Definition

A form of cortisol made into a medical drug, used to reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation in conditions such as skin rashes, arthritis, and allergic reactions. It is often sold as a cream, tablet, or injection under names like hydrocortisone.

Example

Eve put cortisol cream on her red, itchy rash, and the swelling was gone by morning.

collocation: cortisol cream + [body part]

Vinícius received a cortisol injection in his swollen knee to ease the pain after the match.

Common collocations
  • cortisol cream
  • cortisol injection
  • cortisol tablet
  • prescribed cortisol
  • topical cortisol
Synonyms
  • hydrocortisone

    The common pharmaceutical name for cortisol when formulated as a drug. More frequently seen on product labels than 'cortisol'.

  • corticosteroid

    A broader class of steroid hormones that includes cortisol and its synthetic versions; less specific.

Grammar Patterns

cortisol + noun (cortisol cream / cortisol injection)

Usage Note

Frequently called 'hydrocortisone' on medicine labels and prescriptions. Over-the-counter cortisol creams are mild; stronger doses require a doctor's prescription.

Common Mistakes

I bought strong cortisol tablets at the pharmacy without seeing a doctor.
Cortisol-based medicines can have serious side effects, so they should only be used under a doctor's guidance.
High doses of cortisol can weaken the immune system and affect bone health.

Word family

  • corticosteroid
    nounC1
  • hydrocortisone
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Cortisol and adrenaline are both released during stress, but their roles differ: adrenaline triggers an immediate fight-or-flight response (fast heartbeat, sharp focus), whereas cortisol works more slowly to regulate metabolism, blood sugar, and energy over a longer period. A corticosteroid is a broader category of steroid hormones from the adrenal cortex, of which cortisol is one type. Hydrocortisone is the pharmaceutical name for cortisol when it is manufactured as a drug — they are chemically the same substance, but 'cortisol' usually refers to the natural hormone and 'hydrocortisone' to the medical product. For example, a doctor might say 'Your cortisol levels are too high' (referring to the natural hormone) but prescribe a 'hydrocortisone cream' for a rash.

cortisol ↗adrenalinecorticosteroidhydrocortisone

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • cortisol levels
  • cortisol production
  • cortisol cream
  • cortisol injection

Prepositions

  • of cortisol

Etymology

LatinEnglish

The word 'cortisol' was coined in the 1950s by combining 'cortico-', referring to the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal gland where the hormone is made), with '-sol', a suffix used in chemistry for compounds related to sugar or alcohol (from Latin 'sol' meaning 'sun', by way of 'solutio' for solution). This naming reflects the fact that cortisol is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex and belongs to a class of molecules whose names often end in '-sol'.

First known use

1951

1951, in the meaning defined above