Pronunciation: [wˈɔːts] (IPA) 
The word "warts" (/wɔrts/) is spelled with a "w" followed by an "a" and an "r" and a "t" and an "s." The "w" is pronounced as the English letter "w" and the "a" as a short "o" sound. The "r" is a silent letter and the "t" and "s" are pronounced as they are in the word "tarts." "Warts" refers to small, hard growths on the skin caused by a virus, and can be treated with various methods.
Warts are a type of skin lesion or growth caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are small, rough, and raised bumps that typically appear on the hands and feet, but can also develop on other parts of the body. Warts are generally noncancerous and do not pose a serious health risk, although they can be bothersome or unsightly.
Warts are contagious and can spread easily through direct contact with an infected person or surface. The virus enters the skin through small cuts or breaks and causes the cells to grow rapidly, leading to the formation of warts. Common warts, the most typical type, are often seen as rough, grayish-brown bumps with a cauliflower-like appearance. They usually appear on the fingers, around the nails, or on the backs of the hands.
There are various types of warts including plantar warts, which occur on the soles of the feet and can be painful, and flat warts, which are small and flat-topped primarily found on the face, neck, or hands. Genital warts are another type caused by specific strains of HPV and are transmitted through sexual contact.
While warts may disappear on their own over time, treatment options are available for those who desire removal. Common treatments include over-the-counter wart removers, prescription medications, cryotherapy (freezing the wart off), laser treatment, or surgical excision. It is important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "warts" is derived from the Old English word "wearte", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "warton" or "wartaz". It is believed to have its roots in the Indo-European root word "werə" or "werǝ", meaning "to turn" or "to twist". This likely refers to the twisted appearance of warts on the skin.
