anaphylactic
Americanadjective
Explanation
Anything described as anaphylactic has to do with a dangerous allergy. Someone who has an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts can find their face and throat swelling, making it difficult to breathe. Anaphylactic shock is a full-blown, severe allergic reaction to something like shellfish, nuts, bee stings, or penicillin. This happens when a person's immune system is overly sensitive to specific substances and overreacts in response. An anaphylactic reaction can include itchiness, swelling, and hives, and it can be deadly if it isn't treated. The word comes from the Latin anaphylaxis, which means "exaggerated susceptibility."
Vocabulary lists containing anaphylactic
New Kid
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chronically Dolores
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Such reactions can range from responses with “no clinical manifestations” to irritating rashes to life-threatening conditions such as anaphylactic shock, which constricts breathing and impairs motor function.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
Jacob has potentially fatal anaphylactic reactions to dairy, so must carry an EpiPen with him and take multiple antihistamines.
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
When my parents gave me that yellow M&M display in 2020, my throat tightened and my eyes welled up—not because I was going into anaphylactic shock but because I knew I was loved.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025
“I was willing to risk anaphylactic shock for $7,000,” he once wrote there.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025
He didn’t think it was any more dangerous than playing with millions of stinging insects and risking anaphylactic shock.
From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
