If you have a particular allergy, you become ill or get a rash when you eat, smell, or touch something that does not normally make people ill.
Food allergies can result in an enormous variety of different symptoms.
Allergy to cats is one of the commonest causes of asthma.
2. countable noun [Nto n]
If you say that you have an allergy to something or someone, you mean that you dislike them very strongly and try to avoid them.
[informal]
I developed a temporary allergy to the company of couples.
Synonyms: dislike, hatred, hostility, aversion More Synonyms of allergy
More Synonyms of allergy
allergy in British English
(ˈælədʒɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-gies
1.
a hypersensitivity to a substance that causes the body to react to any contact with that substance. Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen
2. informal
aversion
he has an allergy to studying
Word origin
C20: from German Allergie (indicating a changed reaction), from Greek allos other + ergon activity
allergy in American English
(ˈælərdʒi)
US
nounWord forms: pluralˈallergies
1.
a hypersensitivity to a specific substance (such as a food, pollen, dust, etc.) or condition (as heat or cold) which in similar amounts or degrees is harmless to most people: it is manifested in a physiological disorder
2.
a strong aversion
Word origin
Ger allergie < Gr allos, other (see else) + -ergeia, as in energeia (see energy)
allergy in the Pharmaceutical Industry
(ælərdʒi)
Word forms: (plural) allergies
noun
(Pharmaceutical: Physiology)
An allergy is a hypersensitivity to a particular antigen.
COLLOCATIONS: ~ to
An allergy to penicillin can cause a rash, itchy eyes, and swollen lips.
Some people have an unusually severe sensitivity, or allergy, to many different kinds of medicine.
An allergy is a hypersensitivity to a particular antigen.
Examples of 'allergy' in a sentence
allergy
Be attuned to potential allergies and asthma.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The leak showed that he applied for the exemption to treat a pollen allergy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Other common allergies are to pollen, house dust mites and chemicals such as washing powder.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Known allergy to grass pollen.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
People with food allergies can suffer swollen faces and throats, and in extreme cases, death.
The Sun (2016)
Each year the number of British allergy sufferers rises by 5 % while the number of those with food allergies has doubled in a decade.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The enzymes they contain are a significant cause of asthma and other allergies.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This can cause food allergy in some people.
Mayes, Adrienne The Dictionary of Nutritional Health (1986)
Many take allergy pills that contain drugs resembling adrenaline for added relief.
Pantano, James A. (MD) Living with Angina (1991)
They are the perfect choice for allergy sufferers who are unable to use feather filled products.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Fifty years ago almost no one suffered allergies.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Your doctor may be able to arrange some allergy testing.
Trickett, Shirley Coming Off Tranquillizers and Sleeping Pills (1991)
The most valid way of testing for an allergy is by means of an elimination diet.
Holford, Patrick The Family Nutrition Workbook (1988)
People with asthma and other allergies are most at risk.
The Sun (2010)
Some people lose their allergies as they grow older.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The number of allergy sufferers has been rising steadily over the past century.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Twenty years ago allergy testing was a common procedure for the family doctor.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The striker was back in his homeland for laser surgery after suffering an allergy to his contact lenses.
The Sun (2012)
Tests for allergies to pollen, animal fur and dust mites were negative.
The Sun (2015)
If you eat it a lot, the allergy becomes worse.
Mumby, Keith The Allergy Handbook (1988)
This is an electronic record to show basic information about medication, allergies and bad reactions to drugs.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Although it is generally safe, some people with pollen allergies have had serious reactions to bee pollen.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You may want to ask your doctor if you can see an allergy expert if you suspect you may have pollen food allergy syndrome.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A real allergy causes a reaction in minutes.
The Sun (2010)
Once you have accepted a food as safe, of course you must then stop eating it so frequently, otherwise it may become an allergy.
Mumby, Keith The Allergy Handbook (1988)
In other languages
allergy
British English: allergy /ˈælədʒɪ/ NOUN
If you have a particular allergy, you become ill or get a rash when you eat, smell, or touch something that does not normally make people ill.
Allergy to cats is one of the commonest causes of asthma.
American English: allergy
Arabic: حَسَّاسِيَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: alergia
Chinese: 过敏症
Croatian: alergija
Czech: alergie
Danish: allergi
Dutch: allergie
European Spanish: alergia
Finnish: allergia
French: allergie
German: Allergie
Greek: αλλεργία
Italian: allergia
Japanese: アレルギー
Korean: 알레르기
Norwegian: allergi
Polish: uczulenie
European Portuguese: alergia
Romanian: alergie
Russian: аллергия
Latin American Spanish: alergia
Swedish: allergi
Thai: อาการแพ้
Turkish: alerji
Ukrainian: алергія
Vietnamese: sự dị ứng
Chinese translation of 'allergy'
allergy
(ˈælədʒɪ) (Med)
n(c/u)
过(過)敏症 (guòmǐnzhèng) (种(種), zhǒng)
to have an allergy to sth对(對)某物有过(過)敏症 (duì mǒuwù yǒu guòmǐnzhèng)
1 (noun)
Definition
extreme sensitivity to a substance such as a food or pollen, which causes the body to react to any contact with it
Food allergies result in many and varied symptoms.
Synonyms
sensitivity
the sensitivity of cells to chemotherapy
reaction
Common foods which cause this kind of reaction are fish, eggs and shellfish.
susceptibility
She has difficulty dining out because of her susceptibility to smells.
antipathy
hypersensitivity
sensitiveness
2 (noun)
Definition
a strong dislike for something
(informal)
An allergy to boredom will keep her busy.
Synonyms
dislike
The two women viewed each other with dislike and suspicion.
hatred
He has been accused of stirring up hatred between nations.
hostility
She looked at Ron with open hostility.
aversion
Many people have an aversion to insects.
loathing
She looked at him with loathing.
disgust
A look of disgust came over his face.
antipathy
animosity
There's a long history of animosity between the two nations.
displeasure
displeasure at the slow pace of change
antagonism
There is much antagonism between the two teams.
distaste
He looked at her with distaste.
enmity
The two countries erupted into open enmity during the Gulf war.
opposition
Much of the opposition to this plan has come from the media.
repugnance
She felt a deep sense of repugnance.
disinclination
They are showing a disinclination to pursue these opportunities.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of animosity
Definition
a powerful dislike or hostility
There's a long history of animosity between the two nations.