syndrome
SIHND-rohm
Syndrome (noun) means a recognizable group of symptoms or signs that together point to a particular medical or psychological condition. Example: “Her doctor explained that the syndrome can cause headaches, dizziness and trouble sleeping.”
noun
1
A recognizable group of symptoms or signs that together point to a particular medical or psychological condition.
"Her doctor explained that the syndrome can cause headaches, dizziness and trouble sleeping."
"Doctors diagnosed him with chronic fatigue syndrome."
"The syndrome typically involves joint pain, fatigue, and a distinctive rash."
2
Any set of traits or behaviors, usually negative, that together identify a certain type or pattern.
"Teachers sometimes notice a Monday-morning syndrome, where pupils arrive tired and unwilling to work."
"The manager worried about a syndrome of blaming others whenever a project went wrong."
"Critics called it a symptom of "second-album syndrome.""
How to use syndrome
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cluster of symptoms or traits that tend to show up together and identify a specific condition or pattern.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
down syndrome
irritable bowel syndrome
burnout syndrome
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Word forms
- Plural
- syndromes
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Her doctor explained that the _____ can cause headaches, dizziness and trouble sleeping.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek syndrome, "a running together" or "concurrence" — from syn- ("with") and dromos ("running, course").
Related words
Rhymes for syndrome
See all rhymes for 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.
