disease

The word “disease” means an illness affecting the body or mind, caused by infection, malfunction, or other harmful factors. In plain terms, a medical condition that harms the body, or by extension, anything that spreads harm through a group or system.

“Disease” is pronounced dih-ZEEZ (/dɪˈziːz/ in IPA).

Here is “disease” used in a sentence: “The clinic specializes in treating heart disease.”

Words with a similar meaning to “disease” include affliction, ailment, coath, complaint, egritude and disorder.

The opposite of “disease” — its antonyms — are haleness, health, healthiness and heartiness.

“Disease” is a noun.

The word “disease” comes from Old French. From Old French desaise, literally "lack of ease" — built from des- ("dis-") plus aise ("ease"). The word originally meant discomfort in general before narrowing to mean illness.

“Disease” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

These similar-sounding words mean very different things. Disease is an illness affecting the body or mind. Decease is a formal or legal word for death — "the decease of a relative." So a disease may lead to decease, but the two are not synonyms. If you mean sickness, the word is disease.

They are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction. Disease refers to a specific, identifiable medical condition with a known process — diabetes, influenza. Illness describes the broader experience of being unwell, including how a person feels. You can feel ill without a diagnosed disease, and have a disease without feeling ill.

Some diseases can be cured, especially many infections treated with medication. Others, such as chronic or genetic conditions, cannot yet be cured but can often be managed to control symptoms and slow progression. Prevention through vaccines, hygiene, and healthy habits also stops many diseases before they ever start.

Diseases are commonly grouped into four broad categories: infectious diseases caused by germs like bacteria and viruses; deficiency diseases from lack of nutrients; genetic or hereditary diseases; and physiological diseases from organ or system malfunction. They may also be classed as acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting).