symptomatic
- 01 C1 Advanced
adj.showing physical signs of a disease or medical condition.
adj.exhibiting or involving the physical or mental signs of a specific disease or disorder.
Simple“Patients who are symptomatic should stay home to avoid spreading the virus.”
In context“The clinical trial only enrolled symptomatic individuals to ensure that the efficacy of the new antiviral could be measured against active viral loads.”
UsageOften used in contrast with 'asymptomatic'.
Antonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.acting as a sign of a larger, deeper problem in society or a system.
adj.serving as a characteristic sign or indication of a broader, often negative, situation or trend.
Simple“The long lines at the food bank are symptomatic of the country's economic troubles.”
In context“The sudden resignation of the board members was symptomatic of a much deeper institutional crisis that had been brewing for years.”
UsageUsually followed by the preposition 'of'.
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
adj.describing a treatment that helps you feel better but does not cure the cause of the illness.
adj.referring to medical treatment aimed at alleviating symptoms rather than addressing the underlying etiology of a condition.
Simple“The doctor suggested symptomatic treatment like rest and fluids for the common cold.”
In context“Because the primary cause of the syndrome remains unknown, current medical protocols are limited to symptomatic relief and long-term management.”
SynonymsAntonymscurative - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a person who is showing signs of being sick.
n.a patient or individual who displays the clinical signs of a specific condition.
Simple“The clinic separated the symptomatics from those who were just there for a check-up.”
In context“During the outbreak, health officials prioritised testing for symptomatics to allocate limited medical resources more effectively.”
“One study found Moderna’s mFlusiva was 27% more effective against symptomatic illness among 50- to 64-year-olds than a standard shot.”
“Rizwan's miss was the most costly, symptomatic of the keeper and slip fielders appearing to stand too deep for most of the day with a number of edges not carrying through.”
Borrowed from French symptomatique, from New Latin symptomaticus, from Ancient Greek συμπτωματικός (sumptōmatikós, “of or pertaining to a chance (or a symptom), casual”), from σύμπτωμα (súmptōma, “a symptom”). By surface analysis, symptom + -atic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.