disease
A disease is a specific medical condition that affects the body or mind and makes a person unhealthy. It is often caused by bacteria, viruses, or genetic factors and usually has specific signs or symptoms.
Examples
3 of 5Washing your hands is a good way to prevent the spread of disease.
Washing your hands is a good way to stop sickness from spreading.
The medical report discusses the prevention of infectious diseases in schools.
The medical report talks about stopping contagious illnesses in schools.
I'm staying home because I don't want to catch some weird disease.
I am staying at home because I don't want to get sick.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word as 'dis-ease'. When you have a disease, your body is NOT at 'ease' (it is not comfortable or relaxed).
Quick Quiz
The doctor said that exercise can help prevent heart _______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: disease
Examples
Washing your hands is a good way to prevent the spread of disease.
everydayWashing your hands is a good way to stop sickness from spreading.
The medical report discusses the prevention of infectious diseases in schools.
formalThe medical report talks about stopping contagious illnesses in schools.
I'm staying home because I don't want to catch some weird disease.
informalI am staying at home because I don't want to get sick.
Scientists are studying how the disease affects the human brain over time.
academicScientists are looking at how the illness changes the human brain as time passes.
Our health insurance policy covers treatment for chronic disease.
businessOur health insurance pays for the treatment of long-term illness.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
to fight a disease
to try to get better or find a cure
the spread of disease
when an illness moves from person to person
a disease-free life
living without any medical conditions
Often Confused With
'Illness' is the general feeling of being unwell, while 'disease' is a specific medical diagnosis.
'Sickness' often refers to short-term problems like nausea, whereas 'disease' implies a deeper medical condition.
Usage Notes
The word 'disease' is used for specific, named medical conditions (like malaria or heart disease). It is more formal and clinical than 'sickness' or 'illness'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'disease' for a common cold. Use 'cold' or 'flu' for minor things, and 'disease' for more serious or specific medical conditions.
Memory Tip
Think of the word as 'dis-ease'. When you have a disease, your body is NOT at 'ease' (it is not comfortable or relaxed).
Word Origin
From the Old French word 'desaise', which means 'lack of ease' or 'discomfort'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, asking someone 'What disease do you have?' can be seen as too personal; it is better to ask 'Are you feeling okay?'
Quick Quiz
The doctor said that exercise can help prevent heart _______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: disease
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
A symptom is a physical or mental feature which indicates a...
medicineMedicine is a substance used to treat, prevent, or cure an i...
patientA patient is a person who is receiving medical care or treat...
bacteriaBacteria are very small living things that exist almost ever...
virusA submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only insid...
More Health words
head
A1The upper part of the human body that contains the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. It is supported by the neck and is the center for the senses and thinking.
ear
A1The ear is the organ on the side of the head that humans and animals use to hear sounds. It also helps the body maintain its sense of balance.
mouth
A1The opening in the lower part of the human face, surrounded by the lips, through which food is taken in and sounds and speech are emitted. It contains the teeth and the tongue and is the beginning of the digestive tract.
tooth
A1A tooth is one of the hard, white objects in your mouth used for biting and chewing food. Humans have two sets of teeth during their lives: primary (baby) teeth and permanent (adult) teeth.
shoulder
A1The shoulder is the part of the human body where the arm connects to the trunk. It consists of a large joint that allows the arm to rotate and move in many directions.
finger
A1One of the five long, thin parts at the end of the human hand. Fingers are used for feeling, touching, and gripping objects.
stomach
A1The organ in your body where food goes after you eat it to be broken down. It is also the front part of your body below the chest and above the legs.
leg
A1A leg is one of the long parts of the body that humans and animals use for standing, walking, and running. It refers to the entire limb starting from the hip down to the ankle.
foot
A1The foot is the part of the body at the bottom of the leg that a person stands on. It is used for balance, walking, running, and jumping.
toe
A1A toe is one of the five separate parts at the end of the human foot. They help provide balance and support the weight of the body while standing or walking.
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