symptomatic

adjective

symp·​tom·​at·​ic ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈma-tik 

1

a

: being a symptom of a disease

b

: having the characteristics of a particular disease but arising from another cause

symptomatic epilepsy resulting from brain damage

2

: concerned with, affecting, or having symptoms

symptomatic treatment

a symptomatic patient

3

: characteristic, indicative

his behavior was symptomatic of his character

symptomatically

ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of symptomatic

• characteristic
• distinct
• typical
• distinctive
• distinguishing

Examples of symptomatic in a Sentence

a fever's refusal to respond to antibiotics is symptomatic of a viral infection

Recent Examples on the Web

Given that measles is so transmissible, the presence of measles is symptomatic of an ailing public health immunization structure. — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Anyone who was within 1 mile of the crash site and are symptomatic should seek medical attention. — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

That felt symptomatic of their poor decision-making in attacking positions. — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Remember to collect tissue that is just beginning to appear symptomatic, as the lab is unable to diagnose plants that are already dead. — Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing symptomatic

• pre-symptomatic

Rhymes for symptomatic

• achromatic
• acrobatic
• adriatic
• aliphatic
• antistatic
• aromatic
• astigmatic
• autocratic
• automatic
• bureaucratic
• charismatic
• cholestatic

Kids Definition

symptomatic

adjective

symp·​tom·​at·​ic ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik 

1

a

: being a symptom (as of disease)

an itchy skin rash is symptomatic of poison ivy

b

: concerned with, affecting, or having symptoms

a symptomatic patient

2

: showing a quality or identity : characteristic

symptomatically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

symptomatic

adjective

symp·​tom·​at·​ic ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik 

1

a

: being a symptom of a disease

gummas symptomatic of syphilis

b

: having the characteristics of a particular disease but arising from another cause

symptomatic epilepsy resulting from brain damage

2

: concerned with or affecting symptoms

symptomatic treatment

3

: having symptoms

a symptomatic patient

symptomatically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb