symptom

The word “symptom” means a physical or mental sign felt by a person that indicates illness or disorder, such as pain or fatigue. In plain terms, a sign of an underlying problem — whether it's a medical condition or a wider issue.

“Symptom” is pronounced SIHM-tuhm (/ˈsɪm(p)təm/ in IPA).

Here is “symptom” used in a sentence: “A sore throat is a common symptom of the flu.”

Words with a similar meaning to “symptom” include indication, manifestation, sign and signal.

The opposite of “symptom” — its antonyms — is Treatment of symptoms versus treatment of cause.

“Symptom” is a noun.

The word “symptom” comes from Greek. From Greek symptoma, "a happening" or "accident," from syn- ("together") + piptein ("to fall").

“Symptom” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

A symptom is something a person subjectively feels or experiences, such as pain or fatigue, and it is reported by the patient rather than directly observed. A sign, by contrast, is objectively observable or measurable by another person, such as a fever detected with a thermometer. Symptoms are felt; signs are seen or measured.

Yes, symptom is often used figuratively to describe a sign that something else, usually undesirable, is happening or present, such as rising complaints being a symptom of low morale. This broader sense applies to social, economic, or organizational problems, not just physical illness.

A symptom is an indicator that a problem exists, while a cause is the underlying reason the problem occurred in the first place. Treating only the symptom, such as pain, does not address the cause, such as an infection, which is why symptom and cause are often contrasted in diagnostic and problem-solving discussions.