Word

diagnosis

noun C1

/daɪəɡˈnəʊsɪs/

Meanings

noun

the identification of an illness or condition based on examination and tests

noun

a careful analysis of a problem to find its cause

Definition

A diagnosis is a doctor’s identification of an illness or condition based on symptoms and tests.

A diagnosis is the name or explanation a medical professional gives to a health problem after examining someone and considering evidence such as symptoms, scans, or lab results. It can refer both to the process of identifying the problem and to the conclusion itself. People often seek a diagnosis to understand what is happening and what treatment or management may be appropriate.

Examples

After several tests, she finally received a clear diagnosis and felt more confident about next steps.
The specialist explained the diagnosis in detail, but he still asked for a second opinion to be safe.
I trusted their diagnosis because the doctor linked each symptom to the test results.
They questioned the initial diagnosis when new evidence emerged during the follow-up appointment.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse diagnosis (the identification) with prognosis (a prediction about what will happen).