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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Symptom: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：sign of illness (symptom)

symptom 🔊

/ˈsɪmptəm/

A change in your body that shows you might be sick.

Symptom illustration: person with fever checking temperature with a digital thermometer.

sign of illness 🔊

➕

/saɪn əv ˈɪlnəs/

A physical or mental change that indicates the presence of a disease or medical condition.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Greek origin: 'symptōma' (happening), from 'syn-' (together) + 'piptein' (to fall).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'symptom' as a 'sign' that 'simply happens' to indicate something, like a symptom of illness.

📖 Example

A symptom like a persistent sore throat should not be ignored and is a good reason to see a doctor. 🔊 A symptom like a persistent sore throat should not be ignored and is a good reason to see a doctor.

🔗 Collocations

common symptom – a frequently occurring sign of a condition

symptom relief – reduction or alleviation of symptoms

display symptoms – to show signs of illness

🔄 Synonyms

sign (n.) – an indication or evidence of something

indication (n.) – a sign or piece of information that suggests something

manifestation (n.) – an event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something

🌱 Derivatives

symptomatic (adj.) – acting as a symptom or indicating something

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'symptom' derives from Greek 'symptōma', meaning 'a happening or accident'. It entered English via Latin, initially referring to any sign, but now commonly used in medical and broader contexts to indicate early signs of issues.

Meaning 2：early sign of a problem (symptom)

symptom 🔊

/ˈsɪmptəm/

An early sign that a bigger problem is starting.

Symptom as early sign: person analyzing a sharp economic downturn on a graph.

early sign of a problem 🔊

➕

/ˈɜrli saɪn əv ə ˈprɒbləm/

An initial indication that suggests the existence of a larger or more serious issue.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The rising unemployment rate is a worrying symptom of deeper economic problems within the country. 🔊 The increasing unemployment rate is a concerning indicator of more profound economic issues in the nation.

🔗 Collocations

warning symptom – an early sign that alerts to potential danger

symptom of trouble – an indication that problems are arising

identify symptoms – to recognize early signs of issues

🔄 Synonyms

indicator (n.) – a thing that indicates the state or level of something

harbinger (n.) – a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another

portent (n.) – a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen

🌱 Derivatives

symptomatic (adj.) – acting as a symptom or indicating something