# symptom

/ˈsɪmptəm/ (US) · /sˈɪmptəm/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. medical sign

noun · CEFR B1

a change in your body or mind that shows you are ill, such as a cough or a fever.

For teachers: a physical or mental manifestation of a disease or disorder as perceived by the patient.

- A high temperature and a dry cough are common symptoms of the flu.
- The patient presented with several neurological symptoms, including persistent dizziness and a loss of coordination in the left hand.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of' to name the specific illness.

### 2. sign of a problem

noun · CEFR B2

a sign that a bad situation or a larger problem exists.

For teachers: an indicator or characteristic sign of an underlying undesirable condition or social trend.

- The messy office was just a symptom of his busy and stressful life.
- Economists argue that the rising cost of housing is merely a symptom of a much deeper structural imbalance in the national economy.

## Examples

- A high fever is a common symptom of the flu.
- The doctor asked her to describe every symptom she had experienced since the headache began on Monday.
- While the sudden drop in stock prices was alarming, economists argued it was merely a symptom of deeper structural weaknesses within the global banking system.

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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.