syndrome
A syndrome is a recognizable complex of symptoms and physical findings which indicate a specific condition or disorder. In non-medical contexts, it refers to a characteristic pattern of behavior or a group of opinions typical of a social condition.
Examples
3 of 5He was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome after months of unexplained exhaustion.
Doctors identified his persistent tiredness as a specific medical condition characterized by long-term fatigue.
The patient exhibits a rare metabolic syndrome that affects how their body processes energy.
The person shows signs of a group of risk factors that increase the chance of heart disease and diabetes.
I think I’ve got 'Sunday night syndrome'—I’m already feeling stressed about Monday morning.
I am experiencing a common pattern of anxiety that happens right before the work week begins.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the prefix 'syn-' which means 'together' (like in synchronize) and 'drome' meaning 'running'. A syndrome is when many symptoms 'run together'.
Quick Quiz
The doctor explained that her symptoms, though varied, were all part of the same ____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: syndrome
Examples
He was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome after months of unexplained exhaustion.
everydayDoctors identified his persistent tiredness as a specific medical condition characterized by long-term fatigue.
The patient exhibits a rare metabolic syndrome that affects how their body processes energy.
formalThe person shows signs of a group of risk factors that increase the chance of heart disease and diabetes.
I think I’ve got 'Sunday night syndrome'—I’m already feeling stressed about Monday morning.
informalI am experiencing a common pattern of anxiety that happens right before the work week begins.
The researchers studied the psychological impact of Stockholm syndrome on long-term captives.
academicAcademics investigated the mental state where hostages develop positive feelings toward their captors.
The company is suffering from 'silo syndrome,' where departments refuse to share information with each other.
businessThe business is experiencing a pattern of behavior where different teams work in isolation and do not cooperate.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
impostor syndrome
the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved
tall poppy syndrome
a social phenomenon where people of high status are resented or attacked
empty nest syndrome
grief or loneliness parents feel when their children leave home
Often Confused With
A disease has a specific, known cause, whereas a syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur together without a single proven cause.
A symptom is a single physical or mental feature of a condition; a syndrome is the whole collection of those features.
Usage Notes
Use 'syndrome' when referring to a group of symptoms that consistently occur together. It is widely used in both clinical medicine and popular psychology to describe behavioral patterns.
Common Mistakes
Learners often treat 'syndrome' and 'disease' as perfect synonyms, but 'syndrome' specifically refers to the collection of symptoms rather than the underlying biological mechanism.
Memory Tip
Think of the prefix 'syn-' which means 'together' (like in synchronize) and 'drome' meaning 'running'. A syndrome is when many symptoms 'run together'.
Word Origin
Derived from the Greek 'syndromē', meaning 'running together' or 'concourse'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western culture, terms like 'impostor syndrome' have become very popular in workplace discussions regarding mental health and self-confidence.
Quick Quiz
The doctor explained that her symptoms, though varied, were all part of the same ____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: syndrome
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
A symptom is a physical or mental feature which indicates a...
diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of the nature of an illnes...
prognosisA prognosis is a prediction of the likely course and outcome...
pathologyPathology is the branch of medical science that involves the...
geneticRelating to genes or heredity, describing traits, characteri...
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