asymptomatic
Americanadjective
-
(of a disease or other medical condition) presenting no symptoms or evidence of illness or abnormality.
Not only is hypertension one of the most serious chronic conditions, it is also classically asymptomatic.
-
(of a person with a disease or other medical condition) experiencing no symptoms or evidence of illness or abnormality.
Asymptomatic parents are understandably distressed to learn they may have passed a debilitating affliction on to their children.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of asymptomatic
First recorded in 1930–35; a- 6 + symptomatic
Explanation
If you're asymptomatic, you don't show any signs of being sick. In some cases, you can have a disease but still be asymptomatic. When doctors talk about someone being asymptomatic, they are usually referring to a patient who has been exposed to an illness or is sick but doesn't have any symptoms. This is important in medicine because these asymptomatic people can often spread the illness, even though they don't appear to be sick. The a- prefix here means "not," from the Latin ab, "away from."
Vocabulary lists containing asymptomatic
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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.
The other two physicians — Rebekah Stafford, who is Peter Stafford’s wife, and Patrick LaRochelle — are both asymptomatic, according to Serge.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
In total, 22 passengers and crew had been isolating at the Merseyside hospital - the rest will remain but are asymptomatic and have tested negative for the virus.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
This brings the total count of exposed Golden State residents to five, all of whom are currently asymptomatic, according to the California Department of Public Health.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
The frequency with which asymptomatic individuals will be tested was still under discussion.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
Patient has asymptomatic neurosyphilis but cancelled syphilis treatments, said she felt fine.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
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.
