diagnosis
gb/dˌaɪəɡnˈoʊsɪs/ us/dˌaɪəɡnˈoʊsɪs/
B1
English
~ 4300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
identifying a disease or problem
The act of finding out what illness or problem someone has by looking at signs and symptoms.
Usage pattern:
a diagnosis of [illness/condition]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'diagnosis' (noun) with 'diagnose' (verb). For example, 'The doctor diagnosis me' is incorrect; it should be 'The doctor diagnosed me.'
Synonyms
identification (General term for recognizing something; less specific to medical or technical contexts.)
|
assessment (A broader term for evaluation that may include but is not limited to medical contexts.)
Antonyms
misdiagnosis (An incorrect identification of a disease or problem.)
Collocations
make a diagnosis
|early diagnosis
|correct diagnosis
|medical diagnosis
|receive a diagnosis
Themes
medicine
|health
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The doctor made a quick diagnosis after reviewing the test results.
- Early diagnosis can greatly improve the chances of recovery.
- Her diagnosis was confirmed by a second specialist.
- The correct diagnosis helped the patient get the right treatment.
- After weeks of uncertainty, he finally got a clear diagnosis.
Learner examples
- The doctor gave me a diagnosis.
- I got a diagnosis from the hospital.
- She waited for the diagnosis from her doctor.
- The diagnosis was cancer.
- We were happy about the good diagnosis.
Noun
B2
action
2
identifying cause of a problem
The act of finding out what is wrong with something, such as a machine or system.
Usage pattern:
a diagnosis of [problem/fault]
Common mistake:
Learners may assume 'diagnosis' is only used in medicine, but it can also be used for machines, systems, and other problems.
Synonyms
analysis (Broader term for examining something to understand it; not always about problems.)
|
troubleshooting (More informal/technical term for finding and fixing problems in machines or systems.)
Antonyms
guesswork (Deciding without careful examination or evidence.)
Collocations
fault diagnosis
|system diagnosis
|computer diagnosis
Themes
technology
|problem-solving
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The mechanic's diagnosis revealed a broken fuel pump.
- A proper diagnosis of the software bug saved hours of work.
- We need a thorough diagnosis before fixing the electrical fault.
Learner examples
- The mechanic gave a diagnosis of the car problem.
- They did a diagnosis on the computer.
- We need a diagnosis before repair.
Grammar
Dictionary form
diagnosis
IPA
GB/dˌaɪəɡnˈoʊsɪs/
US/dˌaɪəɡnˈoʊsɪs/
Syllables & stress
dia - gnos - is (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (gnos)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: diagnosis
- Plural: diagnoses, diagnosis
Word family
Forms
diagnoses
noun
Core family
diagnose
verb B2
diagnostic
adjective B2
Related words
diagnosable
adjective
diagnostician
noun
Negative and opposite forms
undiagnosed
adjective
misdiagnosis
noun
misdiagnose
verb
Advanced or less common
diagnostically
adverb
Expressions
correct diagnosis
1/kɚˈɛkt dˌaɪəɡnˈoʊsɪs/
fixed phrase
accurate finding of problem
A right or true finding about what illness or problem someone has.
Examples
- A correct diagnosis is essential for proper treatment.
- Without a correct diagnosis, mistakes can happen.
early diagnosis
1/ˈɚli dˌaɪəɡnˈoʊsɪs/
fixed phrase
finding problem early
Finding an illness or problem at an early stage.
Examples
- Early diagnosis is important for effective treatment.
- Many lives are saved thanks to early diagnosis.
make a diagnosis
1/mˈeɪk ə dˌaɪəɡnˈoʊsɪs/
fixed phrase
identify a problem after study
To find out what illness or problem someone or something has after looking carefully at the signs.
Examples
- The specialist made a diagnosis after several tests.
- It can be hard to make a diagnosis without complete information.