B2 verb Neutral

allergy

/ˈælərdʒi/

A medical condition in which the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance, such as pollen, pet dander, or food. This reaction can cause various symptoms like sneezing, itching, or swelling, ranging from mild irritation to life-threatening emergencies.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I have a severe nut allergy, so I have to check all food labels carefully.

I have a severe nut allergy, so I have to check all food labels carefully.

2

The patient reported a history of allergy to penicillin during the initial consultation.

The patient reported a history of allergy to penicillin during the initial consultation.

3

Ugh, my pollen allergy is killing me today; I can't stop sneezing!

Ugh, my pollen allergy is killing me today; I can't stop sneezing!

Word Family

Noun
allergy
Adverb
allergically
Adjective
allergic
Related
allergen
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'allergy' as 'all-urgent'—your body thinks a tiny bit of dust is an urgent emergency and starts attacking it!

Quick Quiz

Sarah cannot eat strawberries because she has a severe _______ to them.

Correct!

The correct answer is: allergy

Examples

1

I have a severe nut allergy, so I have to check all food labels carefully.

everyday

I have a severe nut allergy, so I have to check all food labels carefully.

2

The patient reported a history of allergy to penicillin during the initial consultation.

formal

The patient reported a history of allergy to penicillin during the initial consultation.

3

Ugh, my pollen allergy is killing me today; I can't stop sneezing!

informal

Ugh, my pollen allergy is killing me today; I can't stop sneezing!

4

The study examines the rising prevalence of food allergy among children in urban environments.

academic

The study examines the rising prevalence of food allergy among children in urban environments.

5

We need to update our catering menu to include options for guests with a gluten allergy.

business

We need to update our catering menu to include options for guests with a gluten allergy.

Word Family

Noun
allergy
Adverb
allergically
Adjective
allergic
Related
allergen

Common Collocations

develop an allergy develop an allergy
severe allergy severe allergy
food allergy food allergy
seasonal allergy seasonal allergy
allergy symptoms allergy symptoms

Common Phrases

allergy season

allergy season

allergy test

allergy test

have an allergy to

have an allergy to

Often Confused With

allergy vs intolerance

An allergy involves an immune system response, whereas an intolerance (like lactose) is typically a digestive issue.

allergy vs infection

An allergy is an overreaction to a harmless substance, while an infection is caused by pathogens like bacteria or viruses.

📝

Usage Notes

The word is almost always used with the preposition 'to' (e.g., an allergy to cats). Use 'allergic' as the adjective form to describe a person's state.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget the article, saying 'I have allergy' instead of 'I have an allergy' or 'I have allergies'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'allergy' as 'all-urgent'—your body thinks a tiny bit of dust is an urgent emergency and starts attacking it!

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Greek words 'allos' (other) and 'ergon' (work/activity), meaning a different or 'other' reaction.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: an allergy / allergies Followed by the preposition 'to' Used with verbs like 'have', 'develop', or 'suffer from'
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western countries, food allergies (especially peanut allergies) are taken very seriously in schools and restaurants with strict labeling requirements.

Quick Quiz

Sarah cannot eat strawberries because she has a severe _______ to them.

Correct!

The correct answer is: allergy

Related Words

monocredive

C1

Describes a system, mindset, or approach that relies exclusively on a single source of credibility, belief, or authority. It implies a lack of diversity in verification or intellectual backing, often leading to narrow or fragile conclusions.

intervictent

C1

An intervictent is a person or entity that acts as a neutral intermediary or exists in a state of suspension between two decisive outcomes or victories. It is typically used in specialized academic or formal contexts to describe a buffer that prevents direct conflict between two successful parties.

macrodentity

C1

To define, classify, or characterize an entity or group based on broad, large-scale structural or systemic features rather than individual traits. It involves assigning a collective identity to a subject within a wider sociological or global framework.

interducdom

C1

The state, status, or collective realm of introductory elements or transitional preliminaries. It refers to the transitional period or condition of something that has been recently introduced but is not yet fully established or advanced.

circumtempsion

C1

To strategically bypass or maneuver around a specific deadline or time constraint by exploiting administrative technicalities or scheduling nuances. This verb describes the act of intentionally creating a temporal delay to avoid immediate obligations.

unflexhood

C1

The state or condition of being inflexible, unyielding, or resistant to change in one's mindset, physical form, or behavior. It often characterizes a persistent rigidity that prevents adaptation to new circumstances or perspectives.

prevercy

C1

The state or quality of being prior or taking precedence in order, time, or importance. It refers to a condition where one element must be addressed, considered, or completed before others due to its status or inherent necessity.

addictence

C1

Describing a state of inherent habit-formation or the quality of being compulsively dependent on a substance or activity. It characterizes both the psychological predisposition toward dependency and the property of an external stimulus to trigger such a state.

abfactly

C1

To derive or isolate core factual components from a complex narrative or dataset by stripping away subjective interpretation. This process is used specifically to reach an objective conclusion from qualitative or cluttered information.

transvadtion

C1

To bridge or synthesize distinct theoretical frameworks, data sets, or systems into a singular, functional model. It involves the active process of integrating disparate elements to achieve structural or conceptual unity.

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