allergic

adjective

al·​ler·​gic ə-ˈlər-jik 

1

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

2

: having an aversion

allergic to work

Synonyms of allergic

• afraid
• reluctant
• opposed
• opposing
• averse

Examples of allergic in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Serious events, such as allergic reactions or injection-site cancers in cats, occur in one in 10,000 to 30,000 cases — far rarer than the deadly diseases vaccines prevent. —Henry I. Miller, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025

People allergic to mold may also be allergic to chlorella. —Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 24 Nov. 2025

There have been no allergic reactions or illnesses reported as of Thursday, the alert notes. —Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Nov. 2025

Not knowing Elphaba is allergic to water, Dorothy empties a pale of water on her to put out the fire, accidentally melting her. —Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

allergy + -ic entry 1, after German allergisch

Note: See note at allergy.

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing allergic

• allergic rhinitis
• anti-allergic

Rhymes for allergic

• lysergic
• glutamatergic

Kids Definition

allergic

adjective

al·​ler·​gic ə-ˈlər-jik 

1

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

an allergic reaction

2

: having a dislike for something

allergic to hard work

Medical Definition

allergic

adjective

al·​ler·​gic ə-ˈlər-jik 

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

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