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
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
This Week In Words: March 7–13, 2020
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Gene
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
Those infected may be asymptomatic or experience uncomfortable symptoms, including “watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.”
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
A majority of people who become infected with the virus are asymptomatic.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
The patient "boarded a commercial flight from Kinshasa and was almost asymptomatic -- except for headaches", the ministry said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026
Two other doctors, including his wife, Rebekah Stafford, and Patrick LaRochelle, were likely exposed to the virus but were still asymptomatic as of Monday, Serge said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 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.
