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

That unit dispenses prescriptions in CVS’ more than 9,000 retail pharmacies and provides other pharmacy services, such as vaccinations and diagnostic testing. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2024

Medscape Case Challenges are complex clinical cases that challenge a medical professional’s knowledge and diagnostic skills. —New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2024

Noun

More generally, diagnostics have long been considered unattractive investments. —Anupam B. Jena, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024

Birmingham, Alabama is uniquely positioned to step into a national and global leadership role in designing life-saving diagnostics and therapeutics. —Randall Woodfin, Fortune, 3 July 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