Symptom — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈsim(p)-təm/ symp·tom

Meaning & Definition of Symptom

Symptom (noun)

  1. subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance; broadly, something that indicates the presence of bodily disorder
  2. an evident reaction by a plant to a pathogen
  3. something that indicates the existence of something else

Symptom (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that indicates the presence of something else (such as a disease or problem)

    "A sore throat, a runny nose, and frequent sneezing are some of the symptoms of the common cold."

    "Homelessness is only a symptom of larger problems in our society."

    similar: manifestation, mark, sign, clue, cue, hint, indication, inkling, intimation, lead, suggestion, characteristic, diagnostic, feature, hallmark, property, quality, trait, denotation, evidence, guidepost, key, overtone, pointer, signal, telltale, token, breath, flicker, glimmer, glimpse, mention, scent, whiff, wind

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Symptom

The most common words with a similar meaning to Symptom:

manifestation, mark, sign, clue, cue, hint, indication, inkling, intimation, lead, suggestion, characteristic, diagnostic, feature, hallmark, property, quality, trait, denotation, evidence, guidepost, key, overtone, pointer, signal, telltale, token, breath, flicker, glimmer, glimpse, mention, scent, whiff, wind

Word Forms of Symptom

Derived words: symptomless (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Symptom

Late Latin symptomat-, symptoma, from Greek symptōmat-, symptōma happening, attribute, symptom, from sympiptein to happen, from syn- + piptein to fall feather

First known use: 1541

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Symptom

Words & Phrases Containing Symptom

MSG symptom complex, somatic symptom disorder

Frequently Asked Questions about Symptom

What does "Symptom" mean?

"Symptom" means subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance; broadly, something that indicates the presence of bodily disorder. As a noun, it is defined as: subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance; broadly, something that indicates the presence of bodily disorder.

What is another word for "Symptom"?

Other words for "Symptom" include manifestation, mark, sign, clue, cue, hint, indication and inkling. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Symptom" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Symptom"?

There are 35 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Symptom". Common alternatives include manifestation, mark, sign, clue, cue, hint, indication, inkling, intimation and lead.

How do you use "Symptom" in a sentence?

Examples of "Symptom" in a sentence: "A sore throat, a runny nose, and frequent sneezing are some of the symptoms of the common cold."; "Homelessness is only a symptom of larger problems in our society.".

Is "Symptom" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Symptom" is a noun.

Is "Symptom" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Symptom" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Symptom"?

"Symptom" is pronounced /ˈsim(p)-təm/ and divided into syllables as symp·tom.

What is the origin of the word "Symptom"?

"Symptom" comes from Late Latin symptomat-, symptoma, from Greek symptōmat-, symptōma happening, attribute, symptom, from sympiptein to happen, from syn- + piptein to fall feather. First known use: 1541.