allergy

noun al·ler·gy \ˈa-lər-jē\

: a medical condition that causes someone to become sick after eating, touching, or breathing something that is harmless to most people

plural al·ler·gies

Full Definition of ALLERGY

: altered bodily reactivity (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure <a bee venom allergy so severe that a second sting may be fatal>

: exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual

: medical practice concerned with allergies

: a feeling of antipathy or aversion

See allergy defined for English-language learners

See allergy defined for kids

Origin of ALLERGY

German Allergie, from all- + Greek ergon work — more at work

First Known Use: 1910

Related to ALLERGY

Synonyms: dislike, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disinclination, disliking, disrelish, down [chiefly British], mislike

Antonyms: appetite, favor, fondness, like, liking, partiality, preference, relish, shine, taste, use

ALLERGY Defined for Kids

allergy

noun al·ler·gy \ˈa-lər-jē\

plural al·ler·gies

Definition of ALLERGY for Kids

: a condition in which a person is made sick by something that is harmless to most people

Medical Dictionary

allergy

noun al·ler·gy \ˈal-ər-jē\

plural al·ler·gies

Medical Definition of ALLERGY

: altered bodily reactivity (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure <his bee-venom allergy may render a second sting fatal>

: exaggerated or pathological reaction (as by sneezing, respiratory embarrassment, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual

: medical practice concerned with allergies