disease
dih-ZEEZ
Disease (noun) means an illness affecting the body or mind, caused by infection, malfunction, or other harmful factors. Example: “Regular hand washing helps prevent the spread of disease in crowded places.”
noun
1
An illness affecting the body or mind, caused by infection, malfunction, or other harmful factors.
"Regular hand washing helps prevent the spread of disease in crowded places."
"The clinic specializes in treating heart disease."
"Doctors are still studying how the disease spreads."
2
A harmful or corrupting pattern in a system, society, or way of thinking.
"Corruption became a disease within the organization."
"Gossip had become a disease in the office, poisoning every friendship."
"Greed is a disease that has spread through the whole industry."
How to use disease
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA medical condition that harms the body, or by extension, anything that spreads harm through a group or system.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "decease" (to die) — they sound similar but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
contract a disease
spread of disease
disease outbreak
chronic disease
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Word forms
- Plural
- diseases
- Third person singular
- diseases
- Past tense
- diseased
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Regular hand washing helps prevent the spread of _____ in crowded places.
Etymology
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for disease
See all rhymes for disease →Frequently asked questions
What does “disease” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “disease”?
“Disease” is pronounced dih-ZEEZ (/dɪˈziːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “disease” in a sentence?
Here is “disease” used in a sentence: “The clinic specializes in treating heart disease.”
What is another word for “disease”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disease” include affliction, ailment, coath, complaint, egritude and disorder.
What is the opposite of “disease”?
The opposite of “disease” — its antonyms — are haleness, health, healthiness and heartiness.
What part of speech is “disease”?
“Disease” is a noun.
Where does the word “disease” come from?
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.
Is “disease” a common word?
“Disease” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between disease and decease?
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.
What is the difference between disease and illness?
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.
Can disease be cured?
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.
What are the types of disease?
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).
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