disease

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disease" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any illness that affects the body, mind, or behavior. For example: "Cancer is a serious disease that can have devastating effects on a person's health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he takes a slightly more pragmatic view on contraception, believing that it can be permissible to prevent the spread of disease.

The Guardian

She has no family history of heart disease.

The Economist

Based on a true story, its stars McConaughey as an AIDS sufferer who smuggles drugs for other patients to treat the HIV virus in the early days of the disease in the 1980s.

The Guardian - Film

This might not be a problem if it were a drug for TB, malaria or AIDS – but critics of the HPV donation asked why cervical cancer received such a comprehensive effort in Rwanda – reaching 95% for 11-year-old girls when disease incidence lags well behind other vaccine-preventable diseases in the developing world (read the Rwandan health minister's persuasive rebuttal).

The Guardian

A better understanding of the genetic and environmental mechanisms of the disease will lead to improved diagnosis and therapies.

The Guardian

The prison had apparently been abandoned by the French authorities to disease and death.

The Guardian

Her posthumous fate, suggests Reid (who has no religious faith), seemed preferable to heaven or hell: My wife is in there, somewhere, doing practical work: her organs and tissues are educating young doctors or helping researchers outwit the disease that outwitted her.

The Guardian - Books

The first and as yet only British person to contract Ebola, he is back in Sierra Leone, two months after making a full recovery, to resume his role in the fight against the disease, which is now sweeping the capital.

The Guardian

There are only 110 beds in Freetown for Ebola patients and with the disease out of control in the capital, with almost 1,000 cases already confirmed, it is vital the unit's opening is not delayed.

The Guardian

But then, reluctance to learn from Europe is another symptom of the British disease.

The Guardian - Opinion

When a child dies of neglect or abuse, the local authority is accused of incompetence and negligence; if there is an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, claims about inadequate precautions are heard; former employees of companies which have collapsed during the recession demand to know why more has not been done to save their jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disease" to refer to specific medical conditions, reserving more general terms like "illness" for broader discussions of health.

Common error

Avoid using "disease" as a catch-all term for any health issue. Be precise and specify the condition or ailment when possible, instead of saying something too generic like "he has a disease".

Linguistic Context

The word "disease" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a condition that impairs normal bodily functions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and widely used term in English. The provided examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "disease" is a common noun used to describe an abnormal condition affecting the body or mind. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English. It appears frequently in contexts such as news and media, science, and formal business writing. While alternatives like "illness" or "condition" exist, "disease" is often preferred when referring to a specific medical condition. When writing about "disease", it's beneficial to specify the type for clarity. Remember, overgeneralizing the term should be avoided for precise communication about health matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illness

General term for a condition of being unwell; broader than "disease".

sickness

Often used interchangeably with "illness", but can also imply nausea.

disorder

A disruption to normal physical or mental functions; often used for mental health.

ailment

Mild or minor illness; less severe than "disease".

malady

A disease or ailment; often used in a more formal or literary context.

infection

A disease caused by microorganisms invading the body.

condition

A state of health; can refer to both diseases and other health issues.

health problem

A general term for any issue affecting someone's health.

affliction

A cause of pain or distress; can refer to both physical and mental suffering.

pathology

The science of the causes and effects of diseases.

FAQs

How is "disease" used in a sentence?

The term "disease" is used to refer to an abnormal condition that impairs bodily functions. For example, "Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide."

What are some alternatives to the word "disease"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "illness", "ailment", or "condition".

What is the difference between "disease" and "illness"?

"Disease" refers to a specific pathological condition with defined symptoms and causes, while "illness" is a more general term for feeling unwell.

Is it correct to use "disease" to refer to mental health conditions?

While "disease" is primarily used for physical ailments, conditions like depression or anxiety may be referred to as mental diseases or "disorders" depending on the context.