Definition

A substance that can cause an allergic reaction in some people, such as pollen, dust, or certain foods.

Example

Many people are allergic to certain foods, which can be triggered by an allergen.

Conversation

I just found out that pollen is a major allergen for me.

Oh no, that sounds rough!

Yeah, I've been sneezing a lot lately because of it.

You should definitely see a doctor about your allergen issues.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Allergen → It is formed from "all-" (from Greek "allos", meaning other) and "-ergen" (from Greek "ergon", meaning work or activity). The word "allergen" refers to a substance that causes an immune response or reaction, indicating that it works in a way that is different from the body's normal response.

Memory Tip

Think of something that causes a different kind of reaction in the body — 'all-' means other, and '-ergen' relates to work or activity, so an allergen is something that works differently in your body.

Visually Confused Words