# asymptomatic

/ˌeɪˌsɪmptəˈmætɪk/ (US) · /ˌæsɪmptəmˈætɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/asymptomatic
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

describing a person who has a disease but does not show any symptoms. They feel perfectly fine but can still spread the illness to others.

For teachers: characterised by the absence of symptoms despite the presence of a disease or condition. Often used in medical contexts to describe individuals who are infectious without being aware of their status.

## Examples

- Many people who get the virus are asymptomatic.
- Health officials are concerned because asymptomatic carriers can spread the disease without showing any signs of being sick.
- The study revealed that a significant percentage of the population remained asymptomatic throughout the incubation period, complicating efforts to trace the virus's spread through traditional symptom-based screening.

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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.