diagnosis
A diagnosis is the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms. It is also used in non-medical contexts to describe the analysis of why something is not working correctly.
Examples
3 of 5The doctor gave me a quick diagnosis after looking at my throat.
The doctor identified the cause of my illness quickly after examining my throat.
The committee's diagnosis of the project's failure cited poor communication as the primary cause.
The committee identified that the main reason the project failed was a lack of communication.
What's the diagnosis on my broken car? Is it expensive to fix?
What is the problem with my car, and will it cost a lot to repair?
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the prefix 'dia-' (through) and '-gnosis' (knowledge). A diagnosis gives you 'thorough knowledge' of the problem.
Quick Quiz
The patient was relieved to finally receive an accurate ______ for her chronic fatigue.
Correct!
The correct answer is: diagnosis
Examples
The doctor gave me a quick diagnosis after looking at my throat.
everydayThe doctor identified the cause of my illness quickly after examining my throat.
The committee's diagnosis of the project's failure cited poor communication as the primary cause.
formalThe committee identified that the main reason the project failed was a lack of communication.
What's the diagnosis on my broken car? Is it expensive to fix?
informalWhat is the problem with my car, and will it cost a lot to repair?
Accurate diagnosis of the disease requires advanced molecular imaging techniques.
academicCorrectly identifying this disease needs the use of modern medical technology.
A thorough diagnosis of the market trends is necessary before launching the new product.
businessA complete analysis of how the market is changing is needed before we start selling the new product.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
wrong diagnosis
an incorrect identification of an illness or issue
preliminary diagnosis
an initial identification made before all tests are completed
differential diagnosis
the process of distinguishing one disease from others with similar symptoms
Often Confused With
Diagnosis identifies the current problem, while prognosis predicts the future course or outcome of the situation.
Usage Notes
While mostly used in medical contexts, diagnosis is common in engineering, business, and social sciences to describe the root cause of a failure. It is a formal word often paired with verbs like 'make', 'provide', or 'reach'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the verb form 'diagnose' when they need the noun 'diagnosis' (e.g., saying 'The doctor gave a diagnose' instead of 'a diagnosis').
Memory Tip
Think of the prefix 'dia-' (through) and '-gnosis' (knowledge). A diagnosis gives you 'thorough knowledge' of the problem.
Word Origin
Derived from the Greek word 'diagnōsis', meaning 'discerning' or 'distinguishing' between options.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western healthcare systems, a formal diagnosis is a prerequisite for insurance companies to approve and pay for specific treatments.
Quick Quiz
The patient was relieved to finally receive an accurate ______ for her chronic fatigue.
Correct!
The correct answer is: diagnosis
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Treatment is medical care given to a patient for an illness...
prognosisA prognosis is a prediction of the likely course and outcome...
pathologyPathology is the branch of medical science that involves the...
symptomA symptom is a physical or mental feature which indicates a...
screeningA screening is a medical test or check-up to find a disease...
physicianA physician is a person who is trained and licensed to pract...
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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