Allergic Reaction — Definition, Symptoms, and Causes

Meaning 1：allergic reaction (Allergic reaction)

Allergic reaction 🔊

/əˈlɜrdʒɪk riˈækʃən/

When the body's immune system reacts strongly to a usually harmless thing, causing symptoms like rash or sneezing.

allergic reaction 🔊

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/əˈlɜrdʒɪk riˈækʃən/

A bodily response triggered by the immune system to a harmless allergen, causing symptoms such as rash, sneezing, or swelling.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'allos' (other) + 'ergon' (work), meaning altered body reaction.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'allergic' as 'all ergic' → your body's all systems react to a harmless thing.

📖 Example

When ordering food, it's important to tell the server if you have any allergies, so they can avoid ingredients that might cause a serious allergic reaction. 🔊 When ordering food, it's important to tell the server if you have any allergies, so they can avoid ingredients that might cause a serious allergic reaction.

🔗 Collocations

severe allergic reaction – A strong and potentially dangerous immune response

allergic reaction to food – An immune response triggered by eating a specific food

have an allergic reaction – To experience symptoms due to contact with an allergen

🔄 Synonyms

hypersensitivity reaction (n.) – An abnormally strong immune response to a substance

allergy (n.) – The condition of having an allergic reaction to a specific allergen

🚫 Antonyms

tolerance (n.) – The ability to be exposed to a substance without an immune response

🌱 Derivatives

allergy (n.) – The medical condition of hypersensitive immune response

allergic (adj.) – Relating to or caused by an allergy

allergen (n.) – A substance that triggers an allergic reaction

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'allergy' was coined in 1906 by Austrian pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet to describe an altered immune reaction to foreign substances.