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allergic

adjective
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al·​ler·​gic | \ ə-ˈlər-jik How to pronounce allergic (audio) \

Definition of allergic

1 : of, relating to, affected with, or caused by allergy
2 : having an aversion allergic to work
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Synonyms for allergic

Synonyms

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Examples of allergic in a Sentence

a lover of the outdoors who claims to be allergic to desk jobs
Recent Examples on the Web In Texas, tattoo studios must be licensed with the Department of State Health Services and must report any infection or allergic reactions from a tattoo within five working days after learning about it. — Natalie Walters, Dallas News, "Ink Master tattoo artist eager to reopen after going from $2,000 a day to $0 during Texas closure," 20 May 2020 The company also drew the attention of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who launched a probe into Kaleo in 2017 after the company charged $4,500 for its rival to the EpiPen allergic reaction device. — Ed Silverman, STAT, "CEO tapped by Trump to make generic drugs during pandemic has a dicey track record," 19 May 2020 The coronavirus pandemic forced the historically tech-allergic Supreme Court to convene from afar for the first time ever via a teleconference. — Laura Forman, WSJ, "Patent Office Throws the Book at Travel Company," 13 May 2020 Even a sting from a smaller insect isn’t likely to feel too pleasant, and about one in 20 Americans are allergic to insect stings. — Sara Kiley Watson, Outdoor Life, "Murder Hornets are Coming (But Probably Not for You)," 6 May 2020 There is a feeling of watching a writer so allergic to cliché now interrogating his own moves, annotating his own clichés with diligent, affectionate exasperation. — Parul Sehgal, New York Times, "Wayne Koestenbaum’s Cerebral, Smutty Essays Playfully Disobey the Rules," 5 May 2020 For instance, repeated exposure to the proteins in some popular microbials can cause allergic sensitization and even lung inflammation. — Melanie Bateman, The Conversation, "A global mask shortage may leave farmers and farm workers exposed to toxic pesticides," 27 Apr. 2020 However, some people might be allergic or sensitive to some of the ingredients, which include octinoxate, oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate. — Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, "Yes, You Need to Be Wearing Sunscreen Indoors—Here Are the Best Ones, According to Dermatologists," 27 Apr. 2020 That's an issue because of the 25 million Americans who have asthma, two-thirds suffer from the allergic form of the disease, in which environmental allergens such as dust, insects, pets, mold and pollen will trigger their asthma. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Asthma and coronavirus: Act now to decrease your chance of a serious outcome," 21 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allergic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of allergic

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for allergic

allergy + -ic entry 1, after German allergisch

Note: See note at allergy.

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Time Traveler for allergic

Time Traveler

The first known use of allergic was in 1908

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Statistics for allergic

Last Updated

25 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Allergic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allergic. Accessed 4 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for allergic

allergic

adjective
How to pronounce allergic (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of allergic

: of or relating to an allergy
: having an allergy

See the full definition for allergic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

allergic

adjective
al·​ler·​gic | \ ə-ˈlər-jik How to pronounce allergic (audio) \

Kids Definition of allergic

: of, relating to, causing, or affected by allergy allergic to peanuts an allergic reaction

allergic

adjective
al·​ler·​gic | \ ə-ˈlər-jik How to pronounce allergic (audio) \

Medical Definition of allergic

1 : of, relating to, or characterized by allergy an allergic reaction allergic diseases
2 : affected with allergy : subject to an allergic reaction he is allergic to pollen

Other Words from allergic

allergically \ ə-​ˈlər-​ji-​k(ə-​)lē \ adverb
The body reacts allergically, the skin reddening and breaking out in tiny blisters. — Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News, 18 Aug. 1993

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More from Merriam-Webster on allergic

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for allergic

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with allergic

Spanish Central: Translation of allergic

Nglish: Translation of allergic for Spanish Speakers

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