allergic

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adjective al·ler·gic \ ə-ˈlər-jik \

Definition of allergic

1 :of, relating to, affected with, or caused by allergy

2 :having an aversion

allergic to work

See allergic defined for English-language learners

See allergic defined for kids

Examples of allergic in a Sentence

a lover of the outdoors who claims to be allergic to desk jobs

Recent Examples of allergic from the Web

Some people are allergic to some medicines, and two drugs prescribed by different doctors may combine in the body to make both inactive.

— Philly.com, "Ask the pharmacists: How your pharmacist can help you," 23 Aug. 2017
DiPaula likened Naloxone to carrying an EpiPen for allergic reactions.

— kate magill, Howard County Times, "How to save a life: Officials push Naloxone trainings into the community," 23 Aug. 2017
But what if a fellow shopper is allergic or scared of dogs?

— katherine peralta, charlotteobserver, "When – if ever – can you bring your dog into a grocery or retail store in Charlotte?," 22 Aug. 2017
According to 2013 North American Contact Dermatitis Group data, about 5.5% of patients who were patch tested with PPD had an allergic reaction.

— marci robin, Good Housekeeping, "Little Girl Possibly Scarred for Life After Black Henna Tattoo Causes Chemical Burns," 21 Aug. 2017
Last September, a House panel grilled Mylan CEO Heather Bresch about the skyrocketing cost of the devices, which patients inject in the thigh to stop a runaway allergic reaction to foods such as nuts and eggs or insect bites and stings.

— Washington Post, "EpiPen maker finalizes settlement for government overcharges," 17 Aug. 2017
The 13-year-old from Ohatchee, Alabama, had gone in for a routine MRI but soon slipped into unconsciousness, a rare allergic reaction to the contrast agents in his MRI.

— kai sinclair, Science | AAAS, "After a coma left him blind and in a wheelchair, this undergrad invented a new way of teaching math," 17 Aug. 2017
Compounds found in the feces of some bugs – including roaches like Periplaneta americana and silverfishes like Lepisma saccharina – can produce allergic reactions in some people, and even cause asthma.

— prayan pokharel, Smithsonian, "How Insect Poop Could Solve All Our Problems," 17 Aug. 2017
Sadly, Jordyn has a minor allergic reaction to the popular fruit and meat substitute, but unfortunately cannot determine the severity of it, because Kris is home and needs to have a word with the girls.

— mariah smith, The Cut, "The Actual Life of Kylie Has a Lot More Going on Than Life of Kylie," 14 Aug. 2017

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.

First Known Use of allergic

1908

allergic Synonyms

Synonyms

antipathetic, averse

Related Words

afraid, disinclined, loath (also loth or loathe), reluctant, unwilling; antagonistic, hostile, intolerant, negative, opposed, opposing, resistant, resisting, uncongenial, unfriendly, unsympathetic; disgusted, nauseated, repelled, repulsed, revolted, shocked, squeamish, turned off

Near Antonyms

friendly, sympathetic, tolerant, understanding; admiring, appreciative, charmed, delighted, fond, pleased, tickled

ALLERGIC Defined for English Language Learners

allergic

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adjective

Definition of allergic for English Language Learners

: of or relating to an allergy
: having an allergy

ALLERGIC Defined for Kids

allergic

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adjective al·ler·gic \ ə-ˈlər-jik \

Definition of allergic for Students

:of, relating to, causing, or affected by allergy

allergic to peanuts

an allergic reaction

Medical Dictionary

allergic

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adjective al·ler·gic \ ə-ˈlər-jik \

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

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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