idiopathic
4 synonyms for idiopathic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Relating to a disease or condition that has no known cause.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
cryptogenic
agnogenic
How to use idiopathic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
idiopathic disease
idiopathic pain
idiopathic condition
diagnosed as idiopathic
Idiopathic is a formal medical term, mostly used by doctors and in clinical writing.
Etymology
Idiopathic is formed from idio- combined with -pathic, and the word is first recorded around 1669 in the writings of William Simpson.
Full origin of idiopathic →Frequently asked questions
What does idiopathic mean?
It describes a disease or condition that has no known cause.
Where does the word idiopathic come from?
It combines idio- with -pathic and is first recorded around 1669 in the writings of William Simpson.
What's a synonym for idiopathic?
Doctors also use cryptogenic, essential, primary or agnogenic to mean the same thing.
