asymptomatic
Asymptomatic (adjective) means having a disease, infection or condition without showing any of its noticeable signs or feeling unwell. Example: “A large share of those who tested positive were completely asymptomatic.”
How to Use Asymptomatic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving an illness but not feeling or showing any signs of it.
Medical in origin but now in general use. It describes both people and conditions: an asymptomatic carrier, an asymptomatic tumour.
Asymptomatic does not mean uninfected. Someone asymptomatic can still test positive and, with some diseases, still pass the infection on.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
A large share of those who tested positive were completely _____.
Etymology
From Greek a- 'without' and symptomatic, ultimately from symptoma 'a happening, an occurrence'.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for asymptomatic
See all rhymes for asymptomatic →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between asymptomatic and presymptomatic?
Presymptomatic means symptoms have not appeared yet but will. Asymptomatic means they never appear at all through the whole course of the infection. The two can only be told apart in hindsight, which is why early reports often mix them up.
Can an asymptomatic person be contagious?
With many infections, yes. Transmission depends on how much virus or bacteria a person sheds, and that can be substantial even when they feel perfectly well, which is what makes asymptomatic spread hard to control.