diagnosis

American  

[dahy-uhg-noh-sis] / ˌdaɪ əgˈnoʊ sɪs /

noun

plural

diagnoses

1. Medicine/Medical.

   1. the process of determining by examination the nature and circumstances of a diseased condition.

   2. the decision reached from such an examination. Dx

2. Biology. scientific determination; a description that classifies a group or taxon precisely.

3. a determining or analysis of the cause or nature of a problem or situation.

4. an answer or solution to a problematic situation.

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diagnosis British  

/ ˌdaɪəɡˈnəʊsɪs /

noun

1. 1. the identification of diseases by the examination of symptoms and signs and by other investigations

   2. an opinion or conclusion so reached

2. 1. thorough analysis of facts or problems in order to gain understanding and aid future planning

   2. an opinion or conclusion reached through such analysis

3. a detailed description of an organism, esp a plant, for the purpose of classification

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diagnosis Scientific  

/ dī′əg-nō′sĭs /

plural

diagnoses

1. The identification by a medical provider of a condition, disease, or injury made by evaluating the symptoms and signs presented by a patient.

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Usage

Plural word for diagnosis The plural form of diagnosis is diagnoses, pronounced [ dahy-uhg-noh-seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -is are also formed in this way, including hypothesis/hypotheses, crisis/crises, and axis/axes. A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices. Irregular plurals that are formed like diagnoses derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek.

Commonly Confused

Although diagnosis and prognosis are both very familiar medical terms, they are sometimes used interchangeably (by nonmedical people), as if they were synonymous words. They are not. When a person is unwell and asks a doctor what is wrong with them, what they are asking for is a diagnosis. Examining the symptoms, as with a thermometer or stethoscope, and evaluating the results of a procedure such as a throat culture, blood test, or x-ray will help the doctor identify the patient’s illness. Whatever that ailment may be, the identification, or naming of it, is the diagnosis. The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was very disheartening. The diagnosis is an acute case of tendinitis. Once a patient has been given a diagnosis, the next thing they’ll want to know is what sort of an outcome they can expect, which means they want to know the prognosis. Unlike diagnoses, which are conclusively based on tangible evidence, prognoses are reasonable predictions based on past observations of similar cases. A prognosis gives the patient an idea of what to expect about the course of their illness, including the probability of recovery. As ailments range from the most superficial to the most life-threatening, it is typical for the word prognosis to be qualified by such adjectives as excellent, favorable, good, positive, negative, poor, dire, grim. Doctors will never tire of telling us, “Early detection and treatment are your best bets for a positive prognosis.” And no one wants to say, “The prognosis was so poor that he could no longer hide his condition from his family.” In nonmedical contexts, diagnosis still carries its meaning of naming or identifying something, especially when that involves a situation or problem. When our computer kept crashing, the tech said that nearby UFO activity could be the reason, so we got another tech—and a proper, earthbound diagnosis! Likewise, prognosis is used outside of medical contexts, retaining its meaning of reasonable prediction. As a lover of pesticide-free smoothies, I’m pleased to say that the prognosis for the future of organic farming has never been better.

Other Word Forms

• prediagnosis noun

Etymology

Origin of diagnosis

First recorded in 1675–85; from New Latin, from Greek diágnōsis “a distinguishing, means or power of discernment”; dia-, -gnosis

Example Sentences

In its 2021 complaint, the U.S. alleged the affiliates submitted invalid diagnosis codes for Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees to receive higher payments from the government, violating rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

From The Wall Street Journal

Although the condition is extremely rare, experts believe it is often missed because of limited awareness, difficulties with diagnosis, and social stigma.

From Science Daily

On her return home she received her cancer diagnosis.

From BBC

UnitedHealth’s disclosure, in a Monday SEC filing, came on the heels of a Senate Judiciary Committee report which said the company used aggressive tactics to boost lucrative diagnoses for Medicare Advantage members.

From The Wall Street Journal

Adams revealed his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in May 2025, shortly after former President Biden’s metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis went public.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• analysis
• conclusion
• examination
• interpretation
• investigation