verb Uncommon

diagnose

DUH-ih-uhg-nohz

Diagnose (verb) means to identify a disease or condition from a patient's symptoms. Example: “The doctor diagnosed her with a mild case of the flu.”

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verb

To identify a disease or condition from a patient's symptoms.

"The doctor diagnosed her with a mild case of the flu."

"It took several tests before the specialist could diagnose the illness."

To identify the cause of any problem.

"The mechanic quickly diagnosed the engine trouble as a faulty sensor."

How to use diagnose

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo figure out exactly what is wrong, whether with a person's health or a broken machine.

Common mistake

You diagnose a *condition*, but a *person* "is diagnosed with" a condition — "diagnosed with diabetes," not "diagnosed diabetes."

Common pairings

diagnose a condition diagnosed with cancer diagnose the problem

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

diagnosed past tense, diagnoses singular

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Fill the gap

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The doctor _____ her with a mild case of the flu.

Etymology

A back-formation from diagnosis, ultimately from Greek diagignoskein ("to distinguish, discern").

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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name

Related words

name word term figure title brand identify specify

Rhymes for diagnose

rose nose lose dose pose Jose hose Bose close moose whose goose

See all rhymes for diagnose →

Frequently asked questions

What does “diagnose” mean?

The word “diagnose” means to identify a disease or condition from a patient's symptoms. In plain terms, to figure out exactly what is wrong, whether with a person's health or a broken machine.

How do you pronounce “diagnose”?

“Diagnose” is pronounced DUH-ih-uhg-nohz (/ˈdaɪ.əɡˌnoʊs/ in IPA).

How do you use “diagnose” in a sentence?

Here is “diagnose” used in a sentence: “The doctor diagnosed her with a mild case of the flu.”

What part of speech is “diagnose”?

“Diagnose” is a verb.

Where does the word “diagnose” come from?

The word “diagnose” comes from Greek. A back-formation from diagnosis, ultimately from Greek diagignoskein ("to distinguish, discern").

Is “diagnose” a common word?

“Diagnose” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “diagnose” have?

“Diagnose” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to identify a disease or condition from a patient's symptoms.

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