allergy

noun al·ler·gy \ ˈa-lər-jē \

|Updated on: 10 Jul 2018

Definition of allergy

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

See allergy defined for English-language learners

See allergy defined for kids

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 of allergy from the Web

And there has been little research on safety, toxicity and allergies associated with insect consumption.

— The Economist, "The future of food, served up right here in augmented reality," 7 July 2018
As pharmacy chains await Amazon.com Inc.’s entry into the prescription-drug market, the online retail giant is already undercutting them for nonprescription medicine for aches, colds and allergies.

— bloomberg, latimes.com, "Amazon is already undercutting prices on over-the-counter pills," 6 July 2018
Meat allergies caused by tick bites have skyrocketed from a few dozen a decade ago to more than 5,000 in the US alone, according to experts.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "We Have No Idea How Bad the US Tick Problem Is," 4 July 2018
After Wired reporter Lauren Goode asked if the diners had any allergies or needed a high chair, the AI app passed the call to a human operator at Google.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "Data Sheet—Google's Duplex AI Proves Its Powers and Limitations," 28 June 2018
The red-meat allergy isn't the only ailment spread by the lone star tick.

— thomas leavy, CBS News, "Maine on the lookout for ticks that cause red-meat allergy," 25 June 2018
The nos: No substitutions, although allergies are accommodated with advance notice; no outside bottles of wine; no wines other than the wine pairing; no children under the age of 8.

— jonathan kauffman, SFChronicle.com, "Baumé in Palo Alto has two Michelin stars — and only two staff," 22 June 2018
Brown rice is also a great alternative for those with nut sensitivities or allergies.

— Time, "Weekend Recipe: Your Guide to Creating Dairy-Free Nut, Seed and Rice Milks," 22 June 2018
Those exercising outdoors may experience allergy-like symptoms, such as wheezing or shortness of breath.

— max londberg, kansascity, "KC's air will be unhealthy for kids, outdoor enthusiasts and older adults Thursday," 30 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of allergy

German Allergie, from all- + Greek ergon work — more at work

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1908

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

allergy Synonyms

ALLERGY Defined for English Language Learners

allergy

noun

Definition of allergy for English Language Learners

: a medical condition that causes someone to become sick after eating, touching, or breathing something that is harmless to most people

ALLERGY Defined for Kids

allergy

noun al·ler·gy \ ˈa-lər-jē \

Definition of allergy for Students

plural allergies

: a condition in which a person is made sick by something that is harmless to most people

Medical Dictionary

allergy

noun al·ler·gy \ ˈal-ər-jē \

medical Definition of allergy

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