allergy
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for allergy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A condition in which the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance, causing symptoms such as sneezing, rashes, or swelling.
Synonyms
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 allergy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Coined in 1906 by the Austrian doctor Clemens von Pirquet, combining Greek allos ("other") and ergon ("work, reaction") to describe the immune system reacting abnormally.
Full origin of allergy →Frequently asked questions
What does “allergy” mean?
The word “allergy” means a condition in which the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance, causing symptoms such as sneezing, rashes, or swelling. In plain terms, an oversensitive immune reaction to something ordinarily harmless, like pollen, nuts, or pet hair.
How do you pronounce “allergy”?
“Allergy” is pronounced AL-uh-jee ([ˈæl.ɚ.d͡ʒi] in IPA).
How do you use “allergy” in a sentence?
Here is “allergy” used in a sentence: “His allergy to pollen gets worse every spring.”
What is another word for “allergy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “allergy” include type 1 hypersensitivity.
What part of speech is “allergy”?
“Allergy” is a noun.
Where does the word “allergy” come from?
The word “allergy” dates back to around 1906 and comes from Greek. Coined in 1906 by the Austrian doctor Clemens von Pirquet, combining Greek allos ("other") and ergon ("work, reaction") to describe the immune system reacting abnormally.
Is “allergy” a common word?
“Allergy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “allergy” have?
“Allergy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a condition in which the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance, causing symptoms such as sneezing, rashes, or swelling.
What is the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?
An allergy involves the immune system overreacting to a normally harmless substance, producing symptoms such as sneezing, rashes, or swelling. An intolerance, by contrast, typically involves the digestive system reacting to a substance without immune system involvement, and is generally less severe.
Can "allergy" be used figuratively?
Yes, "allergy" can be used figuratively to describe a strong dislike or aversion to something, such as "an allergy to paperwork." In this sense, it has nothing to do with the immune system and simply emphasizes intense distaste.
Is it correct to say "allergy to" or "allergy of"?
"Allergy to" is the correct and standard preposition, as in "an allergy to peanuts" or "an allergy to pollen." "Allergy of" is not idiomatic English usage.