# allergy

/ˈæɫɝdʒi/ (US) · /ˈælədʒi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/allergy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. medical reaction

noun · CEFR B1

a medical condition where your body reacts badly to something like a certain food, pollen, or fur.

For teachers: a hypersensitive immune system disorder characterized by adverse reactions to specific allergens, often involving histamine production.

- He has a severe allergy to peanuts and must be very careful when eating out.
- The patient presented with a systemic allergy to certain antibiotics, necessitating an immediate change in the prescribed treatment plan.

Usage: Commonly used with the preposition 'to'.

### 2. strong dislike

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a strong feeling of not liking a person, an activity, or an idea.

For teachers: a figurative extension denoting a strong antipathy or aversion toward a specific subject or activity.

- I seem to have developed a sudden allergy to doing housework this weekend.
- His apparent allergy to hard work became a significant point of contention during his annual performance review.

Teaching tip: This sense is used for humorous effect to exaggerate a dislike; it should not be used in formal or medical contexts.

## Examples

- I have a severe allergy to peanuts.
- Spring is a difficult season for people with a pollen allergy because the high counts cause constant sneezing.
- While some reactions are merely irritating, a systemic allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, requiring immediate medical intervention to prevent respiratory failure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.