syndrome
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for syndrome, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A recognizable group of symptoms or signs that together point to a particular medical or psychological condition.
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.
How to use syndrome
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek syndrome, "a running together" or "concurrence" — from syn- ("with") and dromos ("running, course").
Full origin of syndrome →Frequently asked questions
What does “syndrome” mean?
The word “syndrome” means a recognizable group of symptoms or signs that together point to a particular medical or psychological condition. In plain terms, a cluster of symptoms or traits that tend to show up together and identify a specific condition or pattern.
How do you pronounce “syndrome”?
“Syndrome” is pronounced SIHND-rohm (/ˈsɪndɹoʊm/ in IPA).
How do you use “syndrome” in a sentence?
Here is “syndrome” used in a sentence: “Doctors diagnosed him with chronic fatigue syndrome.”
What part of speech is “syndrome”?
“Syndrome” is a noun.
Where does the word “syndrome” come from?
The word “syndrome” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek syndrome, "a running together" or "concurrence" — from syn- ("with") and dromos ("running, course").
Is “syndrome” a common word?
“Syndrome” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “syndrome” have?
“Syndrome” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a recognizable group of symptoms or signs that together point to a particular medical or psychological condition.
What is the difference between a syndrome and a disease?
A syndrome is a recognizable group of symptoms that occur together, often without a single known cause. A disease usually has a defined cause and mechanism; a syndrome may eventually be linked to one or several diseases.
What is the difference between a syndrome and a disorder?
A syndrome is defined by a cluster of signs and symptoms that appear together. A disorder refers more broadly to a disruption of normal function, and a single disorder may or may not present as a defined syndrome.
What is the difference between a symptom and a syndrome?
A symptom is a single sign of a condition, such as a fever or a headache. A syndrome is a whole group of symptoms that consistently occur together and point to a particular condition.
Why is 'syndrome' used for non-medical patterns?
Beyond medicine, 'syndrome' describes any set of traits or behaviors, usually negative, that together identify a certain type or pattern. Expressions like 'impostor syndrome' borrow the medical idea of symptoms that reliably appear together.