diagnostic

1 of 2

adjective

di·​ag·​nos·​tic ˌdī-ig-ˈnä-stik 

-əg-

variants or less commonly diagnostical

ˌdī-ig-ˈnä-sti-kəl 

-əg-

1

a

: of, relating to, or used in diagnosis

a diagnostic tool

b

: using the methods of or yielding a diagnosis

diagnostic tests

2

: serving to distinguish or identify

a diagnostic feature

diagnostically

ˌdī-ig-ˈnä-sti-k(ə-)lē 

-əg-

adverb

diagnostic

2 of 2

noun

1

: the art or practice of diagnosis

—often used in plural

2

: a distinguishing mark

diagnostician

ˌdī-ig-(ˌ)nä-ˈsti-shən 

-əg-

noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• characteristic
• classic
• discriminating
• distinct
• distinctive
• distinguishing
• identifying
• individual
• peculiar
• proper
• symptomatic
• typical

Noun

• affection
• attribute
• attribution
• character
• characteristic
• criterion
• differentia
• feature
• fingerprint
• hallmark
• mark
• marker
• note
• particularity
• peculiarity
• point
• property
• quality
• specific
• stamp
• touch
• trait

Examples of diagnostic in a Sentence

Adjective

Ultrasound is now widely used as a diagnostic tool.

One important diagnostic feature of this condition is a mild rash.

Noun

the thesis that moral decline is the infallible diagnostic of a decadent society

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For example, people often dodge screenings and diagnostic tests to avoid the frightening possibility of discovering cancer. —Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024

Oracle: Streamlined Aircraft Maintenance Oracle has integrated Llama into its maintenance systems to synthesize and analyze aircraft maintenance documents, improving diagnostic accuracy and speeding up repair processes. —Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

Start by understanding differences between health care provision (diagnostics, procedures, therapies or medicines) and health financing and administration. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 3 Nov. 2024

Prior Authorizations Prior authorization is a process when physicians seek approval from insurance companies for specific medications, diagnostics, and procedures. —Adaira Landry, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

diagnostic

adjective

di·​ag·​nos·​tic

ˌdī-ig-ˈnäs-tik

: of, relating to, or used in diagnosis

a diagnostic test for heart disease

Medical Definition

diagnostic

1 of 2 adjective

di·​ag·​nos·​tic -ˈnäs-tik 

variants also diagnostical

-ti-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or used in diagnosis

2

: using the methods of or yielding a diagnosis

a diagnostic service

diagnostic properties

diagnostically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

diagnostic

2 of 2 noun

: the art or practice of diagnosis

—often used in plural