symptom

American  

[simp-tuhm] / ˈsɪmp təm /

noun

1. any phenomenon or circumstance accompanying something and serving as evidence of it.

2. a sign or indication of something.

   Synonyms:

   mark, token, signal

3. Pathology. a phenomenon that arises from and accompanies a particular disease or disorder and serves as an indication of it.

---

symptom British  

/ ˈsɪmptəm /

noun

1. med any sensation or change in bodily function experienced by a patient that is associated with a particular disease Compare sign

2. any phenomenon or circumstance accompanying something and regarded as evidence of its existence; indication

---

symptom Scientific  

/ sĭm′təm /

1. A subjective indication of a disorder or disease, such as pain, nausea or weakness. Symptoms may be accompanied by objective signs of disease such as abnormal laboratory test results or findings during a physical examination.

2. Compare sign

---

Other Word Forms

• presymptom noun
• symptomless adjective

Etymology

Origin of symptom

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin symptōma < Greek sýmptōma occurrence, that which falls together with something, equivalent to sym- sym- + ptō- (variant stem of píptein to fall) + -ma noun suffix of result

Explanation

A symptom is the result or byproduct of something else—specifically, the result we use to prove that that other thing exists. Simple example: a cough is a symptom of a cold. We know we have a cold because we have the symptom, a cough. Don't confuse the symptom with the cause. Even when the symptom is worse than the cause, don't be tempted to confuse them. Fever, sneezing, achiness: all of these are symptom of a cold. But they are not the cold. They are symptoms of it. Relationship experts argue over whether "cheating” is the cause of unhappiness or the symptom. In other words, do people think about breaking up because of cheating, or do they cheat because they're thinking about breaking up.

Example Sentences

It came as the findings of an independent review criticised recent mistaken releases as "simply one symptom of a broken system".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“Long-term care is both a symptom and a cause of the nation’s deepening wealth divide,” Forden said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

It turns out that Kimwolf was the symptom of a growing problem that affects tens of millions of people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

In contrast, fewer than half of those in the control group experienced symptom improvement.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

“And besides, the cat is not the problem; Dad not knowing he exists is merely a symptom of what’s wrong with this family.”

From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• manifestation
• syndrome