allergic
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for allergic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Having an allergy to something; reacting badly to a particular substance.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use allergic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Frequently asked questions
What does “allergic” mean?
The word “allergic” means having an allergy to something; reacting badly to a particular substance. In plain terms, having a bad physical reaction to something, or (informally) having a strong dislike of something.
How do you pronounce “allergic”?
“Allergic” is pronounced uh-LUR-jihk (/əˈlɝ.d͡ʒɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “allergic” in a sentence?
Here is “allergic” used in a sentence: “She is allergic to peanuts and always checks food labels.”
What part of speech is “allergic”?
“Allergic” is an adjective.
Is “allergic” a common word?
“Allergic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “allergic” have?
“Allergic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having an allergy to something; reacting badly to a particular substance.
What preposition follows "allergic" — "allergic to" or "allergic of"?
"Allergic" is always followed by "to," as in "allergic to peanuts" or "allergic to cats." "Allergic of" is a common mistake and is not standard English.
Can "allergic" be used figuratively, outside of medical contexts?
Yes. "Allergic" is often used humorously to mean strongly averse to something, as in "he's allergic to hard work." This figurative use keeps the same "allergic to" structure but doesn't describe a real physical reaction.
What is the difference between "allergic" and "sensitive"?
"Allergic" specifically describes the body's immune reaction to a substance, such as pollen or a food. "Sensitive" is broader and can describe mild discomfort or intolerance without an actual allergic reaction, so the two are related but not interchangeable.