allergy
B1Common in formal/medical and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A medical condition in which the body's immune system reacts badly to a particular substance (an allergen), such as pollen, certain foods, or animal hair.
A strong feeling of dislike, opposition, or aversion to something, often used in informal contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In medical contexts, it refers to a specific immune response with symptoms like sneezing, itching, or rash. In extended, informal use, it implies a strong, often irrational, dislike.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and some minor lexical preferences ('be allergic to' vs. 'have an allergy to'). The informal extended meaning is common in both varieties.
Connotations
Predominantly medical. The informal 'aversion' connotation is slightly more playful or hyperbolic.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties due to prevalence of medical conditions and metaphorical use.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have an allergy to Nbe allergic to Nsuffer from an allergy to Nan allergy against N (less common)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “I have an allergy to hard work (informal/jocular).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in workplace safety regarding employee health (e.g., 'We must accommodate staff allergies.').
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and public health research.
Everyday
Extremely common in discussions of health, food, pets, and seasons (hay fever).
Technical
Specific in immunology, allergology, and clinical medicine.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'Allergy' is not used as a verb in modern English. Use 'be allergic' or 'react to'.
American English
- 'Allergy' is not used as a verb in modern English. Use 'be allergic' or 'react to'.
adverb
British English
- allegedly (NOT related; a common confusion). There is no direct adverb; 'allergically' is non-standard.
- Use prepositional phrases: 'He reacted in an allergic manner.'
American English
- allegedly (NOT related; a common confusion). There is no direct adverb; 'allergically' is non-standard.
- Use prepositional phrases: 'He reacted in an allergic manner.'
adjective
British English
- allergenic (causing an allergy)
- allergic (relating to or having an allergy)
American English
- allergenic
- allergic
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother has an allergy to milk.
- She gets a rash because of her allergy.
- You must inform the restaurant about your nut allergy before ordering.
- My allergy to pollen is terrible in the spring.
- The school has implemented a strict policy to protect children with severe food allergies.
- His allergy to corporate jargon is well known among his colleagues.
- Research into the molecular mechanisms underlying the allergy is progressing rapidly.
- The diplomat had a profound allergy to any form of public confrontation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ALL ERRed' - if your body makes an error in reacting to something like a peanut, you have an ALLERGY.
Conceptual Metaphor
The body is an overzealous security system (mistaking harmless substances for threats).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating the informal usage (e.g., 'allergy to bureaucracy') with the primary medical term 'аллергия' in formal contexts; use 'непереносимость', 'отвращение' or 'неприязнь' instead.
- Don't confuse 'allergy' (immune response) with 'intolerance' (digestive issue, e.g., lactose) - both can be 'непереносимость' in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I am allergy to cats.' Correct: 'I have an allergy to cats.' / 'I am allergic to cats.'
- Incorrect: 'I allergy nuts.' Correct: 'I'm allergic to nuts.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the primary meaning of 'allergy'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An allergy involves the immune system and can be life-threatening (anaphylaxis). An intolerance (e.g., lactose) typically involves the digestive system and is generally not life-threatening.
Yes, adult-onset allergies are common. You can develop an allergy to something you were previously fine with.
Yes. You can have 'an allergy', 'several allergies', or 'no allergies'.
Yes, informally it's used to mean a strong dislike or aversion (e.g., 'He has an allergy to early mornings').
Collections
Part of a collection
Health and Body
A2 · 48 words · Talking about health, illness and medical care.
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