allergy
gb/ˈælɚd͡ʒi/ us/ˈælɚd͡ʒi/
B1
English
~ 8500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
harmful immune reaction to a substance
A health problem where your body reacts badly to something that is usually harmless, like pollen, nuts, or dust.
Usage pattern:
an allergy to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "allergy" with "intolerance" or simple "dislike". An allergy is a medical condition involving the immune system, not just something you do not enjoy. Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition: it is natural to say "an allergy to peanuts", not *"an allergy for peanuts". Some also mix up the adjective and noun, saying *"I am allergy to pollen" instead of "I am allergic to pollen" or "I have an allergy to pollen".
Synonyms
hypersensitivity (More technical medical term; less common in everyday speech.)
|
intolerance (Often used for non-immune reactions (e.g. lactose intolerance), so more general and less precise medically.)
Antonyms
tolerance (Describes the body’s ability to accept a substance without a harmful reaction.)
Collocations
food allergy
|peanut allergy
|severe allergy
|allergy symptoms
|allergy test
|allergy medication
Themes
health
|medicine
|daily life
Examples
- She carries an EpiPen because she has a severe peanut allergy.
- My son was just diagnosed with a dairy allergy, so we’ve switched to plant-based milk.
- During spring, his pollen allergy makes his eyes red and itchy.
- The doctor suggested an allergy test to find out what was causing the rash.
- Always check the label if you have a food allergy.
Learner examples
- I have an allergy to peanuts.
- Her allergy to cats makes her sneeze.
- He takes medicine for his pollen allergy in the spring.
- The doctor said my skin problem is from an allergy.
- Do you have any food allergy I should know about?
Noun
informal
B2
state
2
strong dislike or aversion
A very strong dislike for something, said in a joking way like it is a medical allergy.
Usage pattern:
have an allergy to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this is a real medical statement. In this sense, "allergy" is figurative and often humorous. It does not describe a true health problem. It is also easy to overuse in serious contexts where a more direct word like "dislike" or "hate" would be clearer.
Synonyms
aversion (Slightly more formal; a strong feeling of not liking or wanting something.)
|
dislike (More general and neutral; lacks the humorous or exaggerated tone of calling it an "allergy".)
Antonyms
fondness (Indicates a warm liking, the opposite of a strong dislike or aversion.)
Collocations
have an allergy to meetings
|have an allergy to commitment
|have an allergy to paperwork
|political allergy
|cultural allergy
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
Examples
- I seem to have an allergy to long meetings.
- He jokes that he has an allergy to early mornings.
- She has a real allergy to small talk and office gossip.
- Our manager has an allergy to unnecessary paperwork.
- The voters clearly have an allergy to higher taxes.
Learner examples
- I say I have an allergy to boring meetings.
- He has an allergy to cold weather and never goes out in winter.
- She jokes that she has an allergy to cooking.
- My friend has an allergy to social events and stays at home.
- They have an allergy to rules and do not like to follow them.
Grammar
Dictionary form
allergy
IPA
GB/ˈælɚd͡ʒi/
US/ˈælɚd͡ʒi/
Syllables & stress
al - lergy (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (al)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: allergy
- Plural: allergies, allergy
Word family
Forms
allergies
noun
Core family
allergic
adjective B1
allergen
noun
Related words
allergist
noun
Negative and opposite forms
non-allergic
adjective
Advanced or less common
allergenic
adjective
Expressions
allergy medication
1/ˈælɚd͡ʒi mˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
medicine for allergy symptoms
Medicine that you take to help stop or reduce the problems caused by an allergy.
Examples
- I take allergy medication every morning in the spring.
- Over-the-counter allergy medication usually helps with my hay fever.
allergy relief
1/ˈælɚd͡ʒi ɹɪlˈif/
fixed phrase
reduction of allergy symptoms
A feeling of comfort when allergy symptoms become weaker or stop.
Examples
- This nasal spray gives quick allergy relief.
- Many people look for natural allergy relief during pollen season.
allergy season
1/ˈælɚd͡ʒi sˈizən/
fixed phrase
time of year with many allergens
The time of year when many people have strong allergy problems, usually because of pollen in the air.
Examples
- It’s hard for me to run outside during allergy season.
- Allergy season starts early here because the trees bloom in March.
allergy shot
1/ˈælɚd͡ʒi ʃˈɑt/
fixed phrase
injection to reduce allergies
A regular injection that gives you very small amounts of what you are allergic to, so your body slowly becomes less sensitive.
Examples
- She started getting weekly allergy shots to help with her cat allergy.
- The doctor said allergy shots might reduce his symptoms in the long term.
allergy sufferer
1/ˈælɚd͡ʒi sˈʌfɚɚ/
fixed phrase
person who has allergies
A person who has one or more allergies.
Examples
- As an allergy sufferer, he always checks restaurant menus carefully.
- The new product is designed for allergy sufferers with sensitive skin.
allergy symptoms
1/ˈælɚd͡ʒi sˈɪmptəmz/
fixed phrase
signs of an allergic reaction
The physical problems you feel or see when you have an allergy, like a runny nose, rash, or itchy eyes.
Examples
- Her allergy symptoms include sneezing and a sore throat.
- If your allergy symptoms get worse, you should call your doctor.
allergy test
1/ˈælɚd͡ʒi tˈɛst/
fixed phrase
medical test for allergies
A medical test that shows which things your body is allergic to.
Examples
- The allergist recommended an allergy test to find the cause of my skin rash.
- He had an allergy test and discovered he was allergic to dust mites.
allergy-friendly
1/ˈælɚd͡ʒi fɹˈɛndli/
fixed phrase
safe for people with allergies
Describes food, products, or places that are made to be safe for people with common allergies.
Examples
- The restaurant offers an allergy-friendly menu for guests with food allergies.
- We chose an allergy-friendly laundry detergent for our baby’s clothes.