WordValediagnosis
identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms
In more detail
1. (noun) the identification of a disease or condition by examining symptoms and medical tests
2. (noun) a statement or conclusion about what someone's problem is
Examples
- 1. The doctor's diagnosis was that she had a broken arm.
- 2. His diagnosis of the situation was that the company needed to reduce costs.
How to use diagnosis
Diagnosis is used in medical contexts to describe identifying a disease through examination and testing, but it extends metaphorically to any systematic identification of a problem or issue. It is more formal and technical than simple 'identification' and implies a careful, expert assessment based on evidence rather than mere observation.
Common phrases
- make a diagnosis
- reach a diagnosis
- accurate diagnosis
- clinical diagnosis
- correct diagnosis
- diagnosis of cancer
Synonyms
identification · determination · assessment · conclusion · evaluation
Word family
diagnose (verb) · diagnostic (adjective) · diagnostics (noun) · diagnostician (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse diagnosis (the identification of the problem) with treatment or cure (the solution), or misspell it as 'diagnoses' in singular contexts; note that diagnoses is the plural form.
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