Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Hypersensitivity: meaning, definitions and examples

🤧
Add to dictionary

hypersensitivity

 

[ ˌhaɪpərˌsɛnsəˈtɪvɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical

Hypersensitivity is an exaggerated immune response to a substance that is normally harmless to most people. It can lead to a variety of symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening reactions.

Synonyms

allergy, intolerance, sensitivity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
hypersensitivity

Used in medical or scientific contexts to describe an exaggerated response by the immune system to certain substances.

  • She was diagnosed with hypersensitivity to pollen, which caused severe allergic reactions.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions can range from mild itching to severe anaphylaxis.
allergy

Commonly used in everyday language to describe a condition where the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance, typically not harmful to most people.

  • He has a peanut allergy, so we need to avoid giving him any food that contains peanuts.
  • My cat allergy causes me to sneeze whenever I'm around cats.
sensitivity

Can refer to a mild reaction to various substances or situations, often used in both medical and non-medical contexts.

  • He has a sensitivity to bright lights, which can give him headaches.
  • Certain skincare products can cause skin sensitivity, resulting in redness and irritation.
intolerance

Refers to an adverse reaction to a substance, typically food, that does not involve the immune system. Often used in dietary contexts.

  • Lactose intolerance is quite common among adults, causing gastrointestinal discomfort when consuming dairy products.
  • She avoids gluten due to her wheat intolerance.

Examples of usage

  • His hypersensitivity to pollen causes him to have severe allergic reactions.
  • The doctor diagnosed her hypersensitivity to certain foods after conducting allergy tests.
  • The child's hypersensitivity to pet dander made it difficult for him to visit his friend's house with a cat.
  • Individuals with hypersensitivity to sunlight may develop skin rashes upon exposure.
  • She experienced hypersensitivity to noise, which made it challenging for her to concentrate in a busy environment.

Translations

Translations of the word "hypersensitivity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 hipersensibilidade

🇮🇳 अतिसंवेदनशीलता

🇩🇪 Überempfindlichkeit

🇮🇩 hipersensitivitas

🇺🇦 гіперчутливість

🇵🇱 nadwrażliwość

🇯🇵 過敏症 (かびんしょう)

🇫🇷 hypersensibilité

🇪🇸 hipersensibilidad

🇹🇷 aşırı duyarlılık

🇰🇷 과민성 (gwaminseong)

🇸🇦 فرط الحساسية

🇨🇿 přecitlivělost

🇸🇰 precitlivenosť

🇨🇳 超敏感 (chāo mǐn gǎn)

🇸🇮 preobčutljivost

🇮🇸 ofurnæmi

🇰🇿 сезімталдық

🇬🇪 ჰიპერმგრძნობელობა

🇦🇿 hiperhəssaslıq

🇲🇽 hipersensibilidad

Etymology

The term 'hypersensitivity' originated in the field of immunology to describe an excessive immune response to antigens. It was first used in medical literature in the early 20th century to explain allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases. The concept of hypersensitivity has since been expanded to include various forms of immune-mediated reactions beyond allergies, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and drug reactions.

See also: desensitized, insensibility, insensible, insensitive, nonsense, nonsensical, nonsensically, sensation, sensational, sensations, sense, senseless, senselessly, sensibility, sensible, sensibly, sensitive, sensitivity, sensor, sensory, sensual, sensuous.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,419, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.