What is disease? Pronunciation and usage in English

disease means . Learn how to pronounce and use disease through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of disease

diseasenoun

/dɪˈziːz/
Definition & pronunciation of disease

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "disease" in English. Here's a breakdown of the sounds and a few tips:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • di-ZEE-uhs

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. di: (Like the "dee" in "dinner") - a short, clear "d" sound.
  2. ZEE: (Like the letter Z) – This is a clear, strong "zee" sound.
  3. uhs: (Like the "uh" in "cup" followed by a soft "s" sound) - A short, unstressed “uh” sound, often barely pronounced, and followed by a quiet "s". It’s almost like the “s” is blended into the “uh.”

Here's a more detailed phonetic breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

/ˈdiːˌziːz/

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable ("ZEE"). This is the most important part to get right.
  • "Uh" sound: Don't over-emphasize the "uh" sound; it's relatively subtle.
  • The "s" sound: The final "s" is very light, almost like it's part of the "uhs" sound. It's not a strong, distinct "s."

Resources to hear it:

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Usage and examples with the word disease in English

Let's break down how to use the word "disease" effectively in English. It's a common word, but there are nuances to its use.

1. Basic Definition:

  • Disease is a general term for a condition that impairs the normal functioning of an organism, typically a human being. It's usually characterized by specific symptoms and often has a measurable biological cause.

2. Different Ways to Use "Disease":

  • As a Noun (the most common usage):

    • Medical Diseases: This is the most frequent use. Think of specific illnesses:
      • "He has a chronic disease like diabetes."
      • "Scientists are researching a new disease that affects the brain."
      • "The flu is a common disease."
      • “COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease.”

  • Describing a Condition (broader): Sometimes, "disease" is used more generally to describe a bad or problematic situation – not necessarily a formally diagnosed illness. This can be a bit less precise, so be mindful of your context.

    • “After the accident, he suffered from a disease of the spirit.” (Meaning: a mental or emotional problem)
    • “The company is battling a disease of greed.” (Meaning: a widespread corrupting influence)

  • As Part of Phrases:

    • Disease-causing agent: (e.g., "The bacteria is a disease-causing agent.")
    • Disease management: (e.g., "The hospital offers disease management programs.")
    • Disease prevention: (e.g., “Vaccinations are a key tool for disease prevention.”)
    • Rare disease: (e.g., "She was diagnosed with a rare disease.")
    • Viral disease: (e.g., ‘He contracted a viral disease.’)
    • Genetic disease: (e.g., ‘Their family has a history of genetic diseases.’)

3. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

Using synonyms can add variety to your writing and make your language more precise:

  • Illness: (A general term for being unwell) - “He’s suffering from an illness.”
  • Malady: (A less serious illness, often with vague symptoms) - “She had a strange malady.”
  • Condition: (A broad term for a state of being) - “The patient is in a serious condition.”
  • Ailment: (Usually a minor problem) - “She has a persistent ailment.”
  • Sickness: (A general term for being ill) - “The city experienced a widespread sickness.”

4. Important Considerations & Tone:

  • Sensitivity: When talking about diseases, especially serious ones, be respectful and mindful. Avoid sensationalizing or using overly dramatic language.
  • Specificity: Whenever possible, use the specific name of the disease rather than just “disease.” (e.g., "Type 2 diabetes" is better than “diabetes.”)
  • Context: The meaning of “disease” can shift slightly depending on the context.

5. Examples in Sentences:

  • "Doctors are working to find a cure for this devastating disease."
  • "Early detection is crucial for successful disease treatment."
  • “The rise in obesity is a concerning disease affecting millions.”
  • “She’s recovering from a serious illness and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you doing? (e.g., a scientific paper, a news article, a story, a casual conversation?)
  • What is the specific context where you want to use the word “disease”?

Synonyms for the word disease

Practice with vocabulary disease

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The rapid spread of the novel virus quickly led to a global health _______.
  2. Early detection is crucial for managing chronic _______ effectively.
  3. Despite receiving intensive care, her underlying lung _______ continued to worsen.
  4. Vaccination efforts are essential in preventing the _______ of contagious pathogens within a community.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which term best describes a specific abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not due to any external injury? a) injury b) disease c) trauma d) infection

  2. Certain genetic predispositions can increase the risk of developing a specific ______ later in life, such as cystic fibrosis. a) disorder b) disease c) ailment d) affliction

  3. Public health initiatives often focus on preventing the spread of communicable ______ through vaccination and sanitation. a) maladies b) diseases c) complaints d) issues

  4. Her sudden onset of fever, cough, and body aches indicated a viral ______, not a chronic medical condition. a) disease b) infection c) ailment d) disorder

  5. The patient's persistent cough and shortness of breath were clear ______ of respiratory distress. a) symptoms b) conditions c) ailments d) problems

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The doctor informed him that his kidney malfunction was caused by a long-term medical problem. Rewrite using "disease" or a related word form:
  2. Original: The unhealthy cells were meticulously removed during the surgery. Rewrite using "disease" or a related word form:
  3. Original: Many individuals suffer from various forms of mental disease. Rewrite without using "disease":

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. disease
  2. disease
  3. condition
  4. transmission

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) disease
  2. a) disorder, b) disease
  3. b) diseases
  4. b) infection
  5. a) symptoms

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The doctor informed him that his kidney malfunction was caused by a chronic disease.
  2. The diseased tissue was meticulously removed during the surgery.
  3. Many individuals suffer from various forms of mental disorder.

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