symptom

symptom — noun

1. a change in how you feel or look that tells you a particular disease is making y

1.nounB1
Definition

a change in how you feel or look that tells you a particular disease is making you sick

Example

Tariq went to the doctor because he had a high fever and other flu symptoms.

collocation: flu symptoms / cold symptoms

One common symptom of a cold is a sore throat that lasts for several days.

pattern: common symptom of [disease]

Common collocations
  • common symptoms
  • early symptoms
  • mild symptoms
  • severe symptoms
  • flu-like symptoms
  • symptoms of [disease]
  • symptoms include
  • symptoms worsen
  • symptoms improve
  • develop symptoms
  • show symptoms
Synonyms
  • sign

    broader — a sign can be observed by others; a symptom is felt by the person

  • indication

    more formal and general, used for both medical and non-medical contexts

  • manifestation

    more technical; used in formal medical writing

Grammar Patterns

symptom of [disease / condition]

symptoms include [list]

Usage Note

A symptom is something the patient feels or notices themselves. A sign (such as a fever measured by a thermometer) is something a doctor can observe. In everyday conversation the two words are sometimes used more loosely.

Common Mistakes

The doctor checked my symptoms by looking at my throat.
The doctor checked for signs of infection by looking at my throat.
A symptom is what you feel; a sign is what someone else can see or measure.

2. an event or situation, especially a bad one, that shows a much larger and more s

2.nounB2
Definition

an event or situation, especially a bad one, that shows a much larger and more serious problem exists

Example

The rising crime rate is a symptom of deeper problems in the community.

pattern: be a symptom of [abstract problem]

Andrés saw the frequent arguments as a symptom of the team's poor communication.

Common collocations
  • symptom of a problem
  • symptom of a crisis
  • symptom of a failure
  • clear symptom
  • obvious symptom
  • mere symptom
Synonyms
  • sign

    less formal; 'sign' is neutral, while 'symptom' suggests something is wrong

  • indication

    more neutral and factual; less negative than 'symptom'

  • signal

    implies a warning that action should be taken

Grammar Patterns

symptom of [abstract problem]

be a symptom of [something larger]

Usage Note

Frequently used with 'of' followed by an abstract noun that names a broad negative situation (symptom of a problem / crisis / failure / breakdown). Usually singular in this sense.

Word family

  • symptomatic
    adjectiveB2
  • symptomatically
    adverbC1
  • asymptomatic
    adjectiveC1
  • symptomless
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words refer to something that shows the existence of something else, but they differ in scope and connotation. A symptom is specifically a change felt or noticed by a person, most often in a medical context ('a cough is a symptom of a cold'). A sign is broader — it can be anything that gives information, whether felt or observed ('dark clouds are a sign of rain'). An indication is the most neutral and general of the three; it can be used in any context ('her silence was an indication of doubt'). In formal writing, indication is preferred when you want to avoid judgment. To pick the right word, ask: is the thing felt by a person (→ symptom), observable by anyone (→ sign), or simply pointing to something else without a specific observer (→ indication)?

symptom ↗sign ↗indication ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • symptom of
  • symptoms include
  • show symptoms of
  • develop symptoms

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'symptom' comes from Greek 'symptōma', meaning 'something that happens to you' or 'a chance event'. It entered English through Latin and French in the 1500s, first used by doctors to describe changes in the body caused by illness. The figurative meaning — a sign of a problem in society, business, or relationships — developed in the 1800s.