Symptoms: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in medical and health contexts to describe subjective experiences or feelings that indicate an illness or condition.

• She had flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat and fever.
• The doctor asked about her symptoms to make a diagnosis.

Typically refers to objective evidence or observable phenomena that indicate a condition or situation, and can be used in medical, general, or various other contexts.

• Sneezing and coughing are signs of a cold.
• There were signs on the road indicating construction ahead.

Often used in medical, scientific, or general contexts to refer to signs or signals suggesting something, typically needing further investigation.

• The presence of rashes can be an indication of an allergic reaction.
• Economic indicators give indications of market trends.

Used to describe visible, tangible, or physical expressions or appearances of something, usually more formal and can be related to various contexts including medical, social, and psychological.

• The disease can have various manifestations, including joint pain and swelling.
• Social unrest is a manifestation of deeper societal issues.