A symptomA noticeable effect or feeling that suggests a health problem. is a sign that something is happening or may be present. In medicineThe field of treating and preventing disease., it usually means a change in how the body feels or works that points to an illnessA health problem or disease that affects the body or mind..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈsɪmptəm/
Easy pronunciation: SIMP-təm (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Use the noun meaning ‘a sign of something.’
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Symptom Meaning
a sign that shows something may be there or is going on
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A sign that something exists or is happening.
Example: High prices are often a symptom of a weak economy.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Symptom
Meaning 2
a sign of illness that the patient can feel or notice
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A physical or mental change that a person notices and that is linked to a disease or medical condition.
Example: A fever can be a symptom of the flu.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Symptom Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- sign
- indication
- signal
Medical sense: a change in the body or mind that suggests a disease or condition.
- sign
- indication
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use symptom to mean the disease itself, but a symptom is only one effect or sign of it.
- Do not confuse symptom with asymptomatic, which means having no symptoms.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does symptom mean?
A symptom is a sign that something is happening or that a medical condition may be present.
What is a symptom in medicine?
In medicine, a symptom is something a patient feels or notices, such as pain, nausea, or fatigue, that is linked to an illness.
What are some synonyms for symptom?
Common synonyms include sign, indication, and signal, though the best choice depends on the sense.
Is a symptom the same as a disease?
No. A symptom is a sign or effect of a disease, not the disease itself.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
