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

It was previously considered a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder, but in 2013 it was given its own diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM-5. —Sarah Boden, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024

For example, a healthcare provider might use equipment financing to access advanced diagnostic tools without the burden of upfront costs. —Chris Scharman, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

Noun

Telematic systems allow remote commands and remote diagnostics, positioning tracking or emergency services. —David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024

This report highlights how these technologies are driving innovations across patient monitoring, diagnostics and hospital management. —Rahul Saluja, Forbes, 26 Dec. 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