Definition

1. Noun:
   • An indication or sign of something: A "symptom" is something that accompanies a situation, condition, or process and serves as evidence of its existence or presence.
   • A medical manifestation: In medicine, a "symptom" is any subjective sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease or disorder.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (General Indication):
  • The sudden drop in sales is a symptom of a larger problem with the company's strategy.
  • High employee turnover can be a symptom of poor workplace culture.
• Noun (Medical):
  • A persistent fever and cough are common symptoms of the flu.
  • The patient reported symptoms of dizziness and fatigue.

Advanced Usage

• "To be symptomatic of something": To be a sign or indication of a particular condition or problem.
  • His constant lateness is symptomatic of a lack of respect for the team's time.
• "Presenting symptom": The primary symptom or complaint that causes a patient to seek medical attention.
  • The presenting symptom was severe abdominal pain.

Variants and Related Words

• Symptomatic (adj): Serving as a symptom or sign; having the characteristics of a particular symptom.
  • The rash is symptomatic of an allergic reaction.
• Symptomatology (n): The set of symptoms characteristic of a medical condition or the study of symptoms.
  • The doctor studied the patient's symptomatology to make a diagnosis.
• Asymptomatic (adj): Showing no symptoms of disease.
  • Many people with the virus remain asymptomatic.

Synonyms

• Sign: An objective indication of a medical condition (often observable by others, unlike a subjective symptom).
• Indicator: Something that points to or shows the state or existence of something else.
• Manifestation: An event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something.

Related Phrases

• Symptom checker: A tool, often online, that allows a user to input symptoms to receive possible diagnoses.
  • She used a symptom checker online before deciding to see a doctor.
• Symptom management: The aspect of medical care focused on alleviating the symptoms of a disease.
  • Palliative care focuses on symptom management and quality of life.

Idioms and Common Expressions

• A symptom of the times: Something that is characteristic of or indicates the nature of the current period.
  • The rise of remote work is a symptom of the times, driven by advances in technology.

Noun

1. anything that accompanies X and is regarded as an indication of X's existence
2. (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease