Word list · Teens & Adults
At the Doctor's: English Health Vocabulary
Describe symptoms, understand the doctor and read the medicine box.
- Age
- Ages 13+
- Level
- A2–B2
- Skill
- Vocabulary
- Format
- Interactive
- Everyday life
- 24 words
Practise
Three ways to learn the list. Nothing is saved: start again whenever you like.
0 of 24 learned
appointment
noun
The list
Tap the speaker to hear each word.
appointment
noun · A2
an arranged time to see a doctor, dentist or other professional
I've made an appointment with the doctor for Tuesday morning.
symptom
noun · B1
a sign of an illness, like a pain or a high temperature
The doctor asked me to describe my symptoms.
sore throat
noun · A2
a pain in your throat, especially when you swallow
I can hardly speak. I've got a really sore throat.
temperature
noun · A2
(have a temperature) when your body is hotter than normal because you are ill
She's had a high temperature since last night.
cough
noun · A2
the act or sound of pushing air out of your throat suddenly, often when you are ill
I've had a bad cough for two weeks, and it hurts my chest.
headache
noun · A2
a pain in your head
Too much screen time gives me a headache.
prescription
noun · B1
a doctor's written order for the medicine you need
The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics.
pharmacy
noun · A2
a shop where you can buy medicine (British English also: chemist's)
You can buy this cream at any pharmacy.
painkiller
noun · B1
a medicine that reduces pain
Take a painkiller and try to get some sleep.
dizzy
adjective · B1
feeling as if everything is spinning and you might fall
I felt dizzy when I stood up too quickly.
sprain
verb · B2
to injure a joint, like your ankle or wrist, by turning it suddenly
I sprained my ankle playing football.
allergy
noun · B1
a medical condition that makes you ill when you eat, touch or breathe something
Do you have an allergy to any medicine?
injection
noun · B1
when a doctor or nurse puts medicine into your body with a needle
The nurse gave me an injection in my arm.
check-up
noun · B1
a general medical examination to make sure you are healthy
It's a good idea to have a check-up once a year.
side effects
noun · B2
unwanted effects that a medicine can have on your body
This medicine can have side effects, such as feeling sleepy.
recover
verb · B1
to become healthy again after an illness or injury
It took me a month to recover from the flu.
blood pressure
noun · B1
the force of blood moving through your body, measured by a doctor
The nurse checked my blood pressure and my weight.
sick note
noun · B2
a note from a doctor saying you are too ill to work
My boss asked for a sick note because I was off for a week.
dose
noun · B2
the amount of a medicine you take at one time
Don't take more than the recommended dose.
runny nose
noun · B1
a nose that has liquid coming out of it, usually because of a cold
I've got a runny nose and I keep sneezing.
rash
noun · B2
an area of red spots on your skin
The baby has a red rash on her arms and legs.
emergency
noun · B1
a sudden, dangerous situation that needs help immediately
In an emergency, call 112.
ache
verb · B1
to hurt with a dull pain that does not stop
My back aches after a long day at the computer.
get better
phrase · A2
to become healthy again after being ill
Stay in bed and drink lots of water. Get better soon!
Use it: speaking task
For pairs or small groups, about ten minutes.
Role-play in pairs. A is a patient, B is a doctor. A chooses three symptoms from the list and describes them; B asks questions, gives advice and explains how to take the medicine. Then swap.
- When did you last have a check-up? What happened?
- What do you usually do when you have a cold: rest, take medicine or keep working?
- Have you ever had an injury, like a sprained ankle? How did it happen?
- What is your best advice for someone who wants to get better quickly?
Printable worksheet
One page of matching and gap-fill, the speaking task, and an answer key on a separate page.
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Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
A. Match each word with its meaning.
- 1. appointment ____
- 2. sore throat ____
- 3. cough ____
- 4. prescription ____
- 5. painkiller ____
- 6. sprain ____
- 7. injection ____
- 8. side effects ____
- 9. blood pressure ____
- 10. dose ____
- a) unwanted effects that a medicine can have on your body
- b) a pain in your throat, especially when you swallow
- c) a medicine that reduces pain
- d) an arranged time to see a doctor, dentist or other professional
- e) a doctor's written order for the medicine you need
- f) the amount of a medicine you take at one time
- g) when a doctor or nurse puts medicine into your body with a needle
- h) to injure a joint, like your ankle or wrist, by turning it suddenly
- i) the force of blood moving through your body, measured by a doctor
- j) the act or sound of pushing air out of your throat suddenly, often when you are ill
B. Complete the sentences with words from the box.
allergy · check-up · dizzy · headache · pharmacy · recover · runny nose · sick note · symptoms · temperature
- 1. The doctor asked me to describe my .
- 2. She's had a high since last night.
- 3. Too much screen time gives me a .
- 4. You can buy this cream at any .
- 5. I felt when I stood up too quickly.
- 6. Do you have an to any medicine?
- 7. It's a good idea to have a once a year.
- 8. It took me a month to from the flu.
- 9. My boss asked for a because I was off for a week.
- 10. I've got a and I keep sneezing.
C. Use it: speak
Role-play in pairs. A is a patient, B is a doctor. A chooses three symptoms from the list and describes them; B asks questions, gives advice and explains how to take the medicine. Then swap.
- When did you last have a check-up? What happened?
- What do you usually do when you have a cold: rest, take medicine or keep working?
- Have you ever had an injury, like a sprained ankle? How did it happen?
- What is your best advice for someone who wants to get better quickly?
Answer key
A. 1d · 2b · 3j · 4e · 5c · 6h · 7g · 8a · 9i · 10f
- B.
- 1. symptoms
- 2. temperature
- 3. headache
- 4. pharmacy
- 5. dizzy
- 6. allergy
- 7. check-up
- 8. recover
- 9. sick note
- 10. runny nose