symptom

symptom — noun

1. a change in how you feel or look that tells you a particular disease is making y

1.名詞B1
釋義

a change in how you feel or look that tells you a particular disease is making you sick

例句

Tariq went to the doctor because he had a high fever and other flu symptoms.

collocation: flu symptoms / cold symptoms

One common symptom of a cold is a sore throat that lasts for several days.

pattern: common symptom of [disease]

同義詞
  • sign

    broader — a sign can be observed by others; a symptom is felt by the person

  • indication

    more formal and general, used for both medical and non-medical contexts

  • manifestation

    more technical; used in formal medical writing

文法句型

symptom of [disease / condition]

symptoms include [list]

用法筆記

A symptom is something the patient feels or notices themselves. A sign (such as a fever measured by a thermometer) is something a doctor can observe. In everyday conversation the two words are sometimes used more loosely.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor checked my symptoms by looking at my throat.
✅The doctor checked for signs of infection by looking at my throat.
💡A symptom is what you feel; a sign is what someone else can see or measure.

2. an event or situation, especially a bad one, that shows a much larger and more s

2.名詞B2
釋義

an event or situation, especially a bad one, that shows a much larger and more serious problem exists

例句

The rising crime rate is a symptom of deeper problems in the community.

pattern: be a symptom of [abstract problem]

Andrés saw the frequent arguments as a symptom of the team's poor communication.

同義詞
  • sign

    less formal; 'sign' is neutral, while 'symptom' suggests something is wrong

  • indication

    more neutral and factual; less negative than 'symptom'

  • signal

    implies a warning that action should be taken

文法句型

symptom of [abstract problem]

be a symptom of [something larger]

用法筆記

Frequently used with 'of' followed by an abstract noun that names a broad negative situation (symptom of a problem / crisis / failure / breakdown). Usually singular in this sense.