allergy

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A medical condition in which the body reacts badly to a substance that is harmless to most people.

   Grammar: Countable: an allergy, allergies. Followed by 'to': an allergy to nuts.

   Patterns

   • an allergy to something
   • have an allergy
   • develop an allergy

   She has a serious allergy to peanuts.

   He developed an allergy to dust as an adult.

   My allergies get worse in the spring.

2. 2nouncountableinformalfigurative

   A strong dislike or unwillingness to accept something.

   Grammar: Usually singular and figurative: an allergy to change.

   Patterns

   • an allergy to something

   The company has a real allergy to risk.

   His allergy to criticism makes him hard to work with.

Word forms

Common combinations

food allergy

Food allergies are common in young children.

allergy to

He has an allergy to penicillin.

allergy season

During allergy season, I take medicine every day.

develop an allergy

You can develop an allergy at any age.

severe allergy

A severe allergy can be life-threatening.

Synonyms and how they differ

intolerance

Intolerance is often used for digestive problems, such as lactose intolerance, rather than a true immune reaction.

sensitivity

Sensitivity is a broader word for reacting strongly to something, and may not be a medical allergy.

Word family

allergic adjective

Having an allergy; reacting badly to a substance.

allergen noun

A substance that causes an allergic reaction.

allergist noun

A doctor who specializes in treating allergies.

Commonly confused: allergy or allergy vs. allergen?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “allergy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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