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Allergic: meaning, definitions and examples

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allergic

 

[ əˈlɜːrdʒɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

medical condition

Allergic refers to a hypersensitivity reaction to a substance that is normally harmless, such as pollen, food, or medication. This response can manifest in various forms, including sneezing, itching, skin rashes, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Individuals who are allergic may experience symptoms when exposed to specific allergens. The condition can affect anyone, but certain individuals may be more predisposed due to genetics or environmental factors.

Synonyms

hypersensitive, intolerant, sensitive

Examples of usage

  • She is allergic to peanuts.
  • He has allergic reactions to pollen in the spring.
  • Many people are allergic to latex.
  • The doctor prescribed medication for her allergic rhinitis.

Translations

Translations of the word "allergic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alérgico

🇮🇳 एलर्जिक

🇩🇪 allergisch

🇮🇩 alergi

🇺🇦 алергічний

🇵🇱 alergiczny

🇯🇵 アレルギーの

🇫🇷 allergique

🇪🇸 alérgico

🇹🇷 alerjik

🇰🇷 알레르기성의

🇸🇦 حساسية

🇨🇿 alergický

🇸🇰 alergický

🇨🇳 过敏的

🇸🇮 alergičen

🇮🇸 ofnæmis

🇰🇿 аллергиялық

🇬🇪 ალერგიული

🇦🇿 allerjik

🇲🇽 alérgico

Etymology

The word 'allergic' originates from the Greek word 'allos', meaning 'other, different', and 'ergon', meaning 'work, action'. It was coined in the early 20th century to describe a state of heightened sensitivity to environmental agents or substances. The term has evolved to encompass various conditions where the immune system reacts inappropriately to normally harmless substances, characterize as allergies. The popularity of the term increased during the rise of allergy research and awareness in the 1960s and 1970s, leading to a better understanding of immunology, the human body's response to allergens, and the development of treatments and preventions that address allergic conditions.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,140, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.