What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
symptomatic
Example
The patient's fever and cough are symptomatic of a respiratory infection. [symptomatic: adjective]
Example
The recent increase in crime is symptomatic of deeper societal issues. [symptomatic: adjective]
Example
His love for science fiction movies is symptomatic of his nerdy personality. [symptomatic: adjective]
diagnostic
Example
The doctor ordered a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the patient's symptoms. [diagnostic: adjective]
Example
The mechanic used a diagnostic tool to identify the issue with the car's engine. [diagnostic: adjective]
Example
She is a diagnostician who can quickly identify the root cause of any problem. [diagnostician: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Diagnostic is more commonly used than symptomatic in everyday language. Diagnostic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while symptomatic is less common and primarily used in medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between symptomatic and diagnostic?
Both symptomatic and diagnostic can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, diagnostic may be more commonly used in technical or professional settings, while symptomatic may be more associated with medical or scientific language.
