health
IPA: /hɛlθ/
the condition of your body and mind
English vocabulary by topic
English vocabulary for health and visiting a doctor
Practical words for making an appointment, describing simple symptoms, understanding a doctor’s questions and collecting medicine from a pharmacy.
Go to the wordsHow to talk about health in English
A visit to a doctor may begin with an appointment. During the consultation, name your main symptom and explain where you feel pain. More specific words such as headache, fever and cough help you describe how you feel clearly and briefly.
Temperature refers to the measurement of body heat, medicine is a substance used for treatment, and a prescription is a doctor’s written instruction for obtaining medicine. You normally take a prescription to a pharmacy. This vocabulary supports everyday questions but does not replace professional medical advice.
Vocabulary
Words in this topic
Use the speaker icon to hear each word in British English.
-
-
doctor
IPA: /ˈdɒktə/
a person trained to diagnose and treat illness
-
appointment
IPA: /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
an arranged time to see a doctor or another professional
-
symptom
IPA: /ˈsɪmptəm/
a change in your body that may be a sign of illness
-
pain
IPA: /peɪn/
an unpleasant physical feeling caused by illness or injury
-
headache
IPA: /ˈhɛdˌeɪk/
a pain in your head
-
fever
IPA: /ˈfiːvə/
a high body temperature caused by illness
-
cough
IPA: /kɒf/
an illness-related action that forces air out of your throat
-
temperature
IPA: /ˈtɛmprɪtʃə/
a measurement of how hot your body is
-
medicine
IPA: /ˈmɛdɪsɪn/
a substance used to treat or prevent illness
-
prescription
IPA: /prɪˈskrɪpʃən/
written instructions from a doctor for obtaining medicine
-
pharmacy
IPA: /ˈfɑːməsɪ/
a place where medicines are prepared and sold
01
How to remember these words
- Sort the words into three groups: the appointment, symptoms and treatment.
- Practise the pattern I have… with a headache, a cough and a fever.
- Act out a short exchange: book a visit, describe symptoms and ask about medicine.
02
Useful phrases
I have an appointment with the doctor at ten.
I have a headache and a cough.
I have a fever, and my temperature is 38 degrees.
How often should I take this medicine?
Where can I collect this prescription?
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How do I say that I want to arrange a doctor visit?
Use make or book an appointment with a doctor: I’d like to book an appointment with a doctor.
What is the difference between pain and headache?
Pain is the general word. A headache is pain specifically in your head; it is countable, so say a headache.
What is the difference between medicine and a prescription?
Medicine is the substance used for treatment. A prescription is a doctor’s written instruction that allows you to obtain certain medicine from a pharmacy.
Continue in Mnemonic Words
Words stick when you come back to them
Add words from “Health and the doctor” to the app and review them in small moments — at home, on the go or whenever you have a minute.
- Add only the words you want to learn
- Listen and say them out loud
- Review at a pace that suits you
Get Mnemonic Words
From the Mnemonic Words team
GoNative
Another language, whenever you’re ready
With GoNative, you can build a vocabulary list of your own and make steady progress at a pace that feels right.
German · French · Italian · Spanish · Portuguese · Polish
Try GoNative
Available for iPhone and Android