diagnose
Americanverb (used with object)
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to determine the identity of (a disease, illness, etc.) by a medical examination.
The doctor diagnosed the illness as influenza.
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to ascertain the cause or nature of (a disorder, malfunction, problem, etc.) from the symptoms.
The mechanic diagnosed the trouble that caused the engine knock.
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to classify or determine on the basis of scientific examination.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to determine or distinguish by diagnosis
-
(tr) to examine (a person or thing), as for a disease
Other Word Forms
- diagnosable adjective
- underdiagnose verb (used with object)
- undiagnosable adjective
- undiagnosed adjective
- well-diagnosed adjective
Etymology
Origin of diagnose
First recorded in 1860–65; back formation from diagnosis
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Most of his teachers were ill-equipped to handle his behavioral problems, later diagnosed as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Following an intense assessment period, he was diagnosed as being "minimally conscious negative" – where patients show signs of partial conscious awareness inconsistently.
From BBC
Doctors usually diagnose and treat insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea as separate disorders.
From Science Daily
His own health issues followed the death of his former bandmate Tom Parker, in 2022 at the age of 33, after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
From BBC
Has your brother been actually diagnosed with dementia?
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
