English Reference

Word

STI

Phoneticssti

Definition

n. Stands for sexually transmitted infection. This is an illness you can get by having sex with someone who is already infected.

n. Abbreviation for sexually transmitted infection. A clinical term for a pathogen passed between partners during sexual contact; it is often preferred over 'STD' in modern medical contexts to include asymptomatic cases.

Examples

“Regular testing for an STI is part of good healthcare.”

“Public health clinics provide free screenings and education to help prevent the spread of any common STI.”

“While many people use the terms interchangeably, an STI refers to the presence of the pathogen in the body, whereas an STD describes the resulting disease state with visible symptoms.”

Examples

simple

“Regular testing for an STI is part of good healthcare.”

contextual

“Public health clinics provide free screenings and education to help prevent the spread of any common STI.”

complex

“While many people use the terms interchangeably, an STI refers to the presence of the pathogen in the body, whereas an STD describes the resulting disease state with visible symptoms.”

Usage

Usually used as a countable noun, often appearing in the plural form 'STIs'.

Teaching tip

Explain to students that STI has largely replaced STD (sexually transmitted disease) in professional and educational settings because many of these conditions do not show symptoms immediately.

Synonyms

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated
Register
Technical

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/sti

English Reference