allergy

noun

al·​ler·​gy ˈa-lər-jē 

plural allergies

1

: altered bodily reactivity (such as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure

a bee venom allergy so severe that a second sting may be fatal

2

: exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual

3

: medical practice concerned with allergies

4

: a feeling of antipathy or aversion

Synonyms

• averseness
• aversion
• disfavor
• disinclination
• dislike
• disliking
• disrelish
• down [chiefly British]
• mislike

Examples of allergy in a Sentence

Many people have some form of allergy.

independent-minded people who seem to have an allergy to any control from the government

Recent Examples on the Web

The Weather Channel, for example, has a 15-day allergy forecast that ranks a ZIP code’s allergy risk from very low to very high. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2024

In order to best protect yourself from the harmful pollens while still soaking up as much sun as possible this spring, ABC News spoke to allergy experts to reveal the best tools used to fight allergies. —Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2024

For example, cabbage may trigger an allergic reaction in people with a mugwort allergy. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 13 Apr. 2024

Related article Your pollen allergies are overwhelming? —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

Nasal allergies in children more than doubled from 2012 to 2022. —Kari Nadeau, STAT, 4 Apr. 2024

This brand has an excellent line of bed sheets that are perfect for people with sensitive skin or skin allergies. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

The device is hypoallergenic for those with sensitive skin or allergies. —Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024

And nip allergy season in the bud with this best-selling Levoit air purifier. —Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Allergie "heightened reaction to an antigen to which an individual has been previously exposed," from all- all- + -ergie, in Energie energy, or directly from its source, Greek -ergeia, taken to mean "action, response"

Note: The term was introduced, along with allergisch allergic and Allergen allergen, by the German physician Clemens Peter Freiherr von Pirquet (1874-1929) in "Allergie," Münchener medizinische Wochenschrift, 53. Jahrgang, Nr. 30 (July 24, 1906), pp. 1457-58.

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing allergy

• allergy shot
• anti-allergy

Kids Definition

allergy

noun

al·​ler·​gy ˈal-ər-jē 

plural allergies

1

: exaggerated or abnormal reaction (as by sneezing, itching, or rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that do not have such a strong effect on most people

2

: a feeling of dislike

Medical Definition

allergy

noun

al·​ler·​gy ˈal-ər-jē 

plural allergies

1

: altered bodily reactivity (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure

his bee-venom allergy may render a second sting fatal

2

: exaggerated or pathological reaction (as by sneezing, respiratory embarrassment, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual

3

: medical practice concerned with allergies