# syndrome

/ˈsɪnˌdɹoʊm/ (US) · /sˈɪndɹəʊm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/syndrome
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. medical condition

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a group of medical signs and symptoms that always happen together and show that someone has a specific illness.

For teachers: a recognizable pattern of signs and symptoms that characterize a particular disease or medical condition.

- Down syndrome is a genetic condition that affects how a person's body and brain develop.
- The patient presented with a rare metabolic syndrome that required a multidisciplinary team of specialists to manage effectively.

Usage: Often used with a specific name, such as 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome' or 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome'.

Teaching tip: While often used interchangeably with 'disease' by learners, a syndrome refers specifically to the collection of symptoms rather than the cause itself.

### 2. pattern of behavior

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a set of behaviors or feelings that people often show in a specific situation.

For teachers: a predictable set of characteristics or behaviors identifying a certain social or psychological condition, often with a negative connotation.

- Many new employees suffer from 'imposter syndrome' where they feel they are not good enough for the job.
- The 'tall poppy syndrome' describes a social phenomenon where people are criticized or resented for their high level of success.

Usage: Frequently appears in the structure '[Name] syndrome' to describe a specific social or psychological trend.

Teaching tip: In non-medical contexts, this word is often used to label a specific social problem or a common psychological struggle.

## Examples

- The doctor explained that her tiredness was part of a viral syndrome.
- Many new employees experience imposter syndrome, feeling like they do not deserve their jobs despite having the right skills.
- The economic downturn triggered a collective syndrome of anxiety among investors, leading to a sudden sell-off of assets that had previously been considered entirely secure.

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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.