symptomatic
Americanadjective
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pertaining to a symptom or symptoms.
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of the nature of or constituting a symptom indicative (often followed byof ).
a condition symptomatic of cholera;
a disagreement that was symptomatic of the deterioration in their relationship.
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according to symptoms.
a symptomatic classification of disease.
adjective
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(often foll by of) being a symptom; indicative
symptomatic of insanity
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of or relating to a symptom or symptoms
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according to symptoms
a symptomatic analysis of a case
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of symptomatic
First recorded in 1690–1700; from Medieval Latin symptōmaticus, equivalent to Late Latin symptōmat- (stem of symptōma ) + -icus; see origin at symptom, -ic
Explanation
Anything symptomatic relates to the symptoms of a disease. If you're symptomatic, you might be sick. A symptom is a sign of a disease or illness. Symptoms of a cold include a stuffed nose and cough. So if you have a cough, you're symptomatic. Being symptomatic means you're showing symptoms of something. Sometimes you can be symptomatic and not have an illness: the doctor might not be sure why you're having headaches, for example.
Vocabulary lists containing symptomatic
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.
Symptomatic obstructive HCM is a type of HCM where the heart muscle is restricted.
From Science Daily • May 8, 2024
Isolation and quarantine: Symptomatic people should stay home and get tested.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2022
Symptomatic cases fell on Monday to 268, from 425 a day earlier.
From Reuters • Apr. 5, 2022
Symptomatic students and their close contacts had been sent home immediately, prompting a backlash.
From Washington Times • Sep. 20, 2021
Symptomatic or Incomplete Cure.—Symptomatic "cure" is essentially a process of cloaking or glossing over the infection.
From The Third Great Plague A Discussion of Syphilis for Everyday People by Stokes, John H. (John Hinchman)
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.
