symp ‧ tom /ˈsɪmptəm/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: symptoma , from Greek , 'something that happens, symptom' , from sympiptein 'to happen' , from syn- ( ⇨ ↑ syn- ) + piptein 'to fall' ]
1 . something wrong with your body or mind which shows that you have a particular illness
symptom of
Common symptoms of diabetes are weight loss and fatigue.
2 . a sign that a serious problem exists
symptom of
The disappearance of jobs is a symptom of a deeper socioeconomic change.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have symptoms
Many people with the disease have no symptoms.
▪ experience/suffer symptoms
I had suffered mild symptoms of asthma as a child.
▪ show symptoms
The doctor said he showed symptoms of meningitis.
▪ display/exhibit symptoms formal (=show symptoms)
She was displaying symptoms of stress.
▪ cause symptoms
Make a note of which foods cause the symptoms, and which do not.
▪ relieve/alleviate symptoms formal (=make them less severe)
Take aspirin to relieve the symptoms, and keep warm.
▪ symptoms persist formal (=they do not stop)
If the symptoms persist, see your doctor.
▪ symptoms disappear
The symptoms should disappear after a few days.
■ adjectives
▪ physical symptoms
Depressed people often complain of physical symptoms such as headaches.
▪ severe symptoms
If the baby develops severe symptoms, call 911.
▪ mild symptoms
The damage can be detected by a scan even where there are only mild symptoms.
▪ a common symptom
By far the most common symptom of caffeine withdrawal is headache.
▪ a classic symptom (=a typical symptom)
These are all classic symptoms of hay fever.
▪ withdrawal symptoms (=symptoms you get when you stop taking a substance)
People who try to give up smoking usually get withdrawal symptoms.
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THESAURUS
▪ sign [countable] an event, fact etc that shows that something is happening or that something is true or exists:
The curtains were still drawn and there was no sign of activity.
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A score of 80 or more is a sign that you are doing very well.
▪ indication [countable] a sign. Indication is more formal than sign :
Recently there have been several indications of improving relations.
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There was no indication the killings were related to the drug trade.
▪ evidence [uncountable] facts or signs that show clearly that something exists or is true, especially something that you are trying to prove:
Scientists are hoping to find evidence that there was once life on Mars.
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There was not enough evidence to convict him of the murder.
▪ symptom [countable] a sign that someone has an illness or that a serious problem exists:
The first symptoms are tiredness and loss of weight.
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Is this a symptom of the decay of Western civilization?
▪ indicator [countable] a sign that shows you what is happening or what is true – used about a process, or about the state or level of something:
There are a number of indicators of economic slowdown.
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The tests are considered a good indicator of intelligence.
▪ signal [countable] a sign that shows that you should do something, or that you have a particular attitude:
Severe chest pain is a warning signal that cannot be ignored.
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Legalizing drugs could send the wrong signal to young people.
▪ mark [countable] a sign, especially that you respect or honour someone:
People stood in silence as a mark of respect.
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It was a mark of her popularity that so many colleagues and friends attended the presentation.