symptomatic

Sometimes symp·to·mat·i·cal

[simp-tuh-mat-ik]

adjective

1. pertaining to a symptom or symptoms.

2. 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.

3. according to symptoms.

   a symptomatic classification of disease.

symptomatic

/ ˌsɪmptəˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. (often foll by of) being a symptom; indicative

   symptomatic of insanity

2. of or relating to a symptom or symptoms

3. according to symptoms

   a symptomatic analysis of a case

Other Word Forms

• symptomatically adverb
• nonsymptomatic adjective
• presymptomatic adjective
• pseudosymptomatic adjective
• unsymptomatic adjective
• unsymptomatical adjective
• unsymptomatically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of symptomatic¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Medieval Latin symptōmaticus, equivalent to Late Latin symptōmat- (stem of symptōma ) + -icus; symptom, -ic

Example Sentences

Ball said these recommendations are based in part on the fact that by the time a child becomes symptomatic, they’ve probably already been contagious for a few days and shared their germs far and wide.

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“In a pattern symptomatic of a disregard for civil rights by DHS, U.S. citizens have faced extended periods of detention.”

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“Police are symptomatic of the systemic racism that exists in our society,” Brunson told Salon.

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The first Villa goal was symptomatic of their struggles.

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But there is one big reason why all this is happening, so early in this parliament: it is symptomatic of a party wrestling publicly and privately with how it confronts Reform UK.

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Related Words

• emblematic 
• symbolic