# symptomatic

/ˌsɪmptəˈmætɪk/ (US) · /sˌɪmptəmˈætɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/symptomatic
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. showing signs of illness

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

showing physical signs of a disease or medical condition.

For teachers: exhibiting or involving the physical or mental signs of a specific disease or disorder.

- Patients who are symptomatic should stay home to avoid spreading the virus.
- The clinical trial only enrolled symptomatic individuals to ensure that the efficacy of the new antiviral could be measured against active viral loads.

Usage: Often used in contrast with 'asymptomatic'.

### 2. indicative of a problem

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

acting as a sign of a larger, deeper problem in society or a system.

For teachers: serving as a characteristic sign or indication of a broader, often negative, situation or trend.

- The long lines at the food bank are symptomatic of the country's economic troubles.
- The sudden resignation of the board members was symptomatic of a much deeper institutional crisis that had been brewing for years.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'of'.

### 3. treating only signs

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describing a treatment that helps you feel better but does not cure the cause of the illness.

For teachers: referring to medical treatment aimed at alleviating symptoms rather than addressing the underlying etiology of a condition.

- The doctor suggested symptomatic treatment like rest and fluids for the common cold.
- Because the primary cause of the syndrome remains unknown, current medical protocols are limited to symptomatic relief and long-term management.

### 4. a person with symptoms

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a person who is showing signs of being sick.

For teachers: a patient or individual who displays the clinical signs of a specific condition.

- The clinic separated the symptomatics from those who were just there for a check-up.
- During the outbreak, health officials prioritised testing for symptomatics to allocate limited medical resources more effectively.

## Examples

- The high fever is symptomatic of a serious infection.
- The recent increase in staff turnover is symptomatic of deeper management issues within the company.
- Sociologists argue that the rise in urban isolation is symptomatic of a broader breakdown in traditional community structures during the digital age.

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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.