- 1a change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy flu symptoms Look out for symptoms of depression. Symptoms include a headache and sore throat. Wordfinderexaminebiopsy, diagnose, examine, sample, scan, swab, symptom, test, ultrasound, X-ray Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecharacteristic, classic, common, … verb + symptomdisplay, exhibit, experience, … symptom + verbappear, arise, develop, … phrasesthe onset of symptoms See full entry See related entries: Ailments and diseases, Medical examinations
- 2a sign that something exists, especially something bad synonym indication The rise in inflation was just one symptom of the poor state of the economy. Synonymssignindication symptom symbol indicator signalThese are all words for an event, action or fact that shows that something exists, is happening or may happen in the future.sign an event, action or fact that shows that something exists, is happening or may happen in the future:Headaches may be a sign of stress.indication (rather formal) a remark or sign that shows that something is happening or what somebody is thinking or feeling:They gave no indication as to how the work should be done.sign or indication?An indication often comes in the form of something that somebody says; a sign is usually something that happens or something that somebody does.symptom a change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy; a sign that something exists, especially something bad:Symptoms include a sore throat. The rise in inflation was just one symptom of the poor state of the economy.symbol a person, object or event that represents a more general quality or situation:The dove is a universal symbol of peace.indicator (rather formal) a sign that shows you what something is like or how a situation is changing:the economic indicatorssignal an event, action or fact that shows that something exists, is happening or may happen in the future:Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems.sign or signal? Signal is often used to talk about an event, action or fact that suggests to somebody that they should do something. Sign is not usually used in this way:Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signs to criminals.Patterns a(n) sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal of something a(n) sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal that… a clear sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal an obvious sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator an early sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal an outward sign/indication/symbol to give a(n) sign/indication/signal Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecharacteristic, classic, common, … verb + symptomdisplay, exhibit, experience, … symptom + verbappear, arise, develop, … phrasesthe onset of symptoms See full entry Word Originlate Middle English synthoma, from medieval Latin, based on Greek sumptōma ‘chance, symptom’, from sumpiptein ‘happen’; later influenced by French symptome.Extra examples 40% of patients were treated within three hours of the onset of symptoms. Can you describe your symptoms? Cigarettes can aggravate the symptoms of a cold. He had been ignoring the symptoms for years. If symptoms do not improve after a week, see your doctor. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. Not all carriers of the disease develop symptoms. Nurses are taught how to identify and treat the symptoms of poisoning. She had all the classic symptoms of the disorder. The patient was admitted presenting with flu-like symptoms. These virus infections display obvious visual symptoms. after two symptom free years the physical symptoms that are the result of stress cold/flu symptoms
symptom
nounBrE BrE//ˈsɪmptəm//; NAmE NAmE//ˈsɪmptəm//
Ailments and diseases, Medical examinationsCheck pronunciation: symptom
