ENGLISH
REFERENCE

allergies

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //ˈæɫɝdʒiz// UK //ˈælədʒɪz// al·ler·gies

n. medical conditions that make you feel sick or get a rash after you eat, touch, or breathe something. Common things that cause this are pollen, peanuts, or cat hair.

n. hypersensitive immune system responses to substances that are typically harmless to most people. Often used in the plural to describe a person's general medical condition regarding multiple triggers.


SIMPLE

I have several allergies, so I always check food labels.

CONTEXTUAL

Spring is a difficult season for people with pollen allergies because the high counts cause constant sneezing.

COMPLEX

While some childhood allergies are outgrown by adolescence, others can develop into lifelong sensitivities that require strict avoidance of specific environmental or dietary triggers.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used in the plural when discussing a person's medical history; the singular form usually refers to a specific reaction.

Pitfall

I am allergy to catsI am allergic to catsLearners often use the noun 'allergy' where the adjective 'allergic' is required to describe a person's state.

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