French word

allergie

Pronunciation

IPA/alɛʁʒi/

Meaning

  • feminine nounallergy

Example

J'ai une allergie au latex.

I have an allergy to latex.

Illustration for allergie (allergy)

More examples

Elle doit porter un bracelet indiquant son allergie alimentaire.

She must wear a bracelet indicating her food allergy.

Core concept

An immune alarm misfires against a harmless substance, producing anything from sneezing or a rash to breathing trouble.

Common phrases

  • avoir une allergie

    have an allergy

  • allergie alimentaire

    food allergy

  • allergie cutanée

    skin allergy

Similar words

allergène: A material capable of triggering an allergic reaction, such as pollen, mites, or certain foods.
intolérance: A condition causing digestive discomfort after eating a particular food.
anaphylaxie: A sudden, severe allergic reaction affecting the whole body and threatening life.
urticaire: An itchy skin rash consisting of red, raised areas or welts.

Definition in French

Réaction excessive du système immunitaire à une substance normalement inoffensive, provoquant des symptômes allant de légers inconforts à des réactions sévères.

Word origin

French allergie comes from German Allergie, coined from Greek allos, meaning other, and ergon, meaning work, in 1906.

Usage tips

  • The cause follows à in both avoir une allergie à and être allergique à, as in une allergie au latex.

Related words

  • allergiqueallergicadjective
  • allergologueallergistnoun

Word lists with this word