Word
idiopathic
Phoneticsid·io·path·ic
US/ˌɪdioʊˈpæθək/
UK/ˌɪdɪəpˈæθɪk/
Definition
adj. used for a disease or health problem when doctors cannot find the cause. You use it when tests do not explain why someone is ill.
adj. arising spontaneously or from an unknown cause, especially of disease. Often contrasted with conditions that have a clear, identified origin.
Examples
“Doctors call her cough idiopathic because tests show no cause.”
“After normal scans and blood tests, the neurologist diagnosed idiopathic facial pain and referred her for symptom management.”
“Although labelled idiopathic, many chronic pain syndromes later gain clearer explanations as imaging and genetic testing improve, revealing subtle causes once hidden.”
Examples
simple
“Doctors call her cough idiopathic because tests show no cause.”
contextual
“After normal scans and blood tests, the neurologist diagnosed idiopathic facial pain and referred her for symptom management.”
complex
“Although labelled idiopathic, many chronic pain syndromes later gain clearer explanations as imaging and genetic testing improve, revealing subtle causes once hidden.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “idiopathic” in context.
Verb
01. classify as idiopathic
“When no gene mutation is found, the neuropathy is classified as idiopathic.”
verb + prep + adj
02. consider idiopathic
“The panel considered idiopathic the patient's recurrent pericarditis.”
verb + adj
03. diagnose as idiopathic
“After normal scans, her chronic hives were diagnosed as idiopathic.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
04. idiopathic arthritis
“Cases of idiopathic arthritis often present with joint swelling and morning stiffness.”
adj + noun
05. idiopathic epilepsy
“Genetic testing is often recommended when idiopathic epilepsy is suspected in children.”
adj + noun
06. idiopathic fibrosis
“The multidisciplinary team confirmed idiopathic fibrosis after excluding occupational causes.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. idiopathic aetiology
“The report concluded an idiopathic aetiology after ruling out autoimmune causes.”
adj + noun
08. idiopathic condition
“Treatment focuses on symptoms because it is an idiopathic condition.”
adj + noun
09. idiopathic disorder
“Sarcoidosis was once viewed as an entirely idiopathic disorder.”
adj + noun
10. chronic idiopathic urticaria
“He takes daily antihistamines for chronic idiopathic urticaria.”
11. classified as idiopathic infertility
“Around 15% of cases are classified as idiopathic infertility.”
12. diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension
“She was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension after papilloedema was noted.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies, as in 'idiopathic pain'.
Real-World Examples
“Patel said Nugent was also suffering from concussion and idiopathic transverse myelitis – a rare inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord.” Etymology
From idio- + -pathic. First appears c. 1669, in the publications of William Simpson.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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