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

Ari Smith: Work to bring Suite Eleven to life started in 2015 after months of struggling with a skin condition that was linked to a number of food and chemical allergies. —Akili King, Essence, 22 Sep. 2023

When used correctly, the best humidifiers alleviate issues associated with dry air, including allergies. —Jon Bitner, wsj.com, 21 Sep. 2023

The new spray, if eventually approved, would provide a welcome alternative for many families of children with severe allergies who'd rather avoid needles. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2023

It’s rated to be effective for spaces up to 550 square feet for normal use or 275 square feet for heavy allergy sufferers. —Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023

For anyone with skin sensitivities or allergies, this is especially unhealthy. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2023

The connection between a tick bite and a meat allergy might seem baffling at first. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 14 Sep. 2023

Dark Circles When seasonal allergies come on, under-eye swelling is likely to follow. —Kelsey Castañon, refinery29.com, 14 Sep. 2023

The unanimous vote, which specifically declared oral formulations of phenylephrine ineffective, is expected to disrupt the market for OTC cold and allergy remedies, where consumers largely prefer pills over nasal sprays. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 12 Sep. 2023

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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

• 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