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
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.
Roughly two-thirds of the global population has trouble digesting lactose, but only a fraction actually develops symptomatic lactose intolerance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
Having arterial plaque does not mean that a person will inevitably develop symptomatic disease.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026
Sadly, the $2,000 payment the 82-year-old mother made to her neighbor for clearing her garage is symptomatic of a lapse in judgment about the basic concepts of money, value and reasonableness, compounded by emotion.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026
“The truth is that within the normal range, no matter your age, if you’re not symptomatic, it’s not going to do anything for you until you go way above the upper limit.”
From Slate ● Sep. 13, 2026
What had happened to Hurd, what had happened to Hammond, seemed symptomatic of a larger problem.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
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