adjective
-
of, relating to, having, or caused by an allergy
-
informal having an aversion (to)
he's allergic to work
Other Word Forms
- unallergic adjective
Etymology
Origin of allergic
Explanation
If you're allergic, your body has an exaggerated response to some substance, like cat dander or pollen, that makes you sneeze or get itchy. Many people are allergic to dust. If you have an allergy to something, your immune system goes crazy when you come in contact with it: if this happens to you, you're allergic. You might be allergic to certain plants, and spend the spring with itchy eyes, for example, or sneeze every time you pet your best friend's dog. Allergic comes from allergy, from the German Allergie, which is rooted in the Greek word allos, "other, different, or strange."
Vocabulary lists containing allergic
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for February 17–February 23, 2024
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for May 14–May 20, 2022
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Jess and Layla's Astronomical Assignment
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There was a company called Mylan, which was best known for buying EpiPen, the lifesaving injector for severe allergic reactions, especially for kids, and then multiplying the price sevenfold in under a decade.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
Novartis said the drug offers a differentiated mechanism that, if confirmed clinically, could support earlier symptom relief, stronger disease control and more convenient dosing across food allergy, hives, allergic asthma and other diseases.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
Brayen is allergic to dairy, banana, pineapple, peas, green beans, wheat, egg, soya, nuts and peanuts, kiwi, root vegetables and pea protein.
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
Although a few conversations clearly left impressions, most of the dates morphed into remnants of information like fintech, middle sibling, allergic to cats, etc.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026
And Sam's mother was allergic to ironing; he had heard her say that lots of times.
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
