dosage
C1Formal (Medical/Scientific) & General Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A measured amount of medicine to be taken at one time or over a period.
The measured quantity of any substance administered, applied, or consumed; the system or process of determining this quantity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While 'dose' refers to a single measured quantity, 'dosage' often implies a regimen or schedule involving multiple doses, or the process of calculating doses. In everyday language, they are frequently used interchangeably, but 'dosage' is more technical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. British English may show a slight preference for 'dosage' in formal medical contexts, while American English uses both 'dose' and 'dosage' more freely.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both variants.
Frequency
Broadly similar frequency, with high usage in medical/health contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[determiner] + dosage + of + [substance][verb] + dosagedosage + [verb]at + a + dosage + ofVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for 'dosage']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; only in pharmaceutical industry contexts (e.g., 'dosage manufacturing').
Academic
Common in medical, pharmacological, and biological research papers.
Everyday
Common in discussions of medicine, supplements, and health advice.
Technical
Precise term in medicine, pharmacy, toxicology, and chemistry.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [N/A – 'dosage' is not a verb]
American English
- [N/A – 'dosage' is not a verb]
adverb
British English
- [N/A – 'dosage' is not an adverb]
American English
- [N/A – 'dosage' is not an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [N/A – 'dosage' is not an adjective]
American English
- [N/A – 'dosage' is not an adjective]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Take the correct dosage of cough syrup.
- The dosage is written on the bottle.
- The doctor will adjust your dosage after the tests.
- What is the recommended daily dosage for this vitamin?
- The new medication requires a carefully calculated dosage based on patient weight.
- Exceeding the prescribed dosage can lead to serious side effects.
- Pharmacokinetic studies are essential for determining the optimal therapeutic dosage.
- The paediatric dosage was meticulously calibrated to avoid toxicity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'age' at the end: the 'dosage' is the appropriate amount for a certain stage or 'age' of treatment.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A PRECISE RECIPE (requires exact measurements).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'дозировка' as 'dosing' (gerund/noun) in most contexts; 'dosage' is the standard equivalent. Do not confuse with 'доза' (dose).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'dosage' as a verb (e.g., 'He dosaged the medicine' – incorrect; use 'He dosed' or 'He measured the dosage').
- Confusing 'dosage' (schedule/regimen) with 'dose' (single quantity).
Practice
Quiz
Which word is most specific to a planned schedule of medication?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Dose' typically refers to a single measured quantity taken at one time. 'Dosage' more often refers to the regimen or schedule of doses (e.g., 'take two pills daily'), or the process of determining doses. In casual use, they are often interchangeable.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically or technically for other substances (e.g., 'the dosage of fertiliser for the plants', 'a high dosage of criticism'), but its primary and most natural use is medical.
It is generally a countable noun (e.g., 'different dosages', 'a dosage of 50mg'). It can sometimes be uncountable when referring to the general concept (e.g., 'information about dosage').
It is standard in both British and American English with no significant variation in meaning. Pronunciation differs slightly (/ˈdəʊ.sɪdʒ/ vs /ˈdoʊ.sɪdʒ/).
Explore