What does syndrome mean?
A syndrome is a recognizable combination of signs, symptoms, or characteristics that tend to occur together. In medicine, it names a pattern associated with a particular condition or disorder, and it may be used even when the precise cause has not been established. In everyday and analytical contexts, “syndrome” extends beyond illness to describe any tightly linked set of recurring features, such as a pattern of social problems or organizational weaknesses. The word is useful because it emphasizes that separate features can form a meaningful whole. It should not be confused with a symptom, which is one individual indication of illness, or with a sign, which is a single observable or measurable feature. In medical writing, the term is generally more specific and technical than the broad word “problem,” while figurative uses often carry the implication that several difficulties reinforce one another.
A group of signs, symptoms, or other characteristics that occur together and indicate a particular medical condition or pattern.
"Early testing revealed a syndrome associated with involuntary movements."
Often used when the specific underlying cause is unknown, but not a synonym for every individual symptom.
A distinctive combination of related behaviours, circumstances, or difficulties that forms a recurring pattern.
"The city has suffered from a syndrome of congestion, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure."
Figurative and usually somewhat formal; it often implies that the components are interconnected.
The usual plural form is “syndromes.” In medical usage, it is often used with names of conditions or with expressions such as “rare syndromes.”
"Several rare syndromes were identified in the study."
A syndrome is not one symptom but a distinctive constellation of signs, symptoms, and characteristics.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does syndrome come from?
The word comes from Greek syndromos, formed from syn-, meaning “together,” and dromos, meaning “running” or “course.” It originally referred to a running together of symptoms and was used in medicine for a characteristic group of symptoms. The modern medical sense developed from this idea of symptoms occurring together, while later figurative uses apply the same concept to combined features or circumstances.
Related word forms
How syndrome is actually used
In medicine, the term is most appropriate when a characteristic pattern of signs and symptoms is recognised, even when the underlying cause is not known. In general usage, it often suggests a recurring or interconnected set of difficulties and can sound more formal than simply saying a group of problems.
Easily confused with syndrome
A symptom is an individual sign or change, whereas a syndrome is a group of signs or symptoms that occur together as a recognisable pattern.
A sign is generally an observable or measurable feature, while a syndrome is a larger pattern made up of multiple signs and symptoms.