Health & Medical Vocabulary

Essential terms for health, medical visits, and wellness

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Emergency Numbers

In an emergency, call 911 (USA/Canada) or your local emergency number

Learn Health & Medical Vocabulary

Master essential health and medical terms for doctor visits, describing symptoms, understanding treatments, and discussing wellness in English.

Fever
/ˈfiː.vər/
A condition when body temperature is higher than normal (above 37°C/98.6°F)
"I have a fever and my temperature is 39°C."
Cough
/kɔːf/
To force air out of your lungs with a sudden sharp sound
"I've had a bad cough for three days."
Heart
/hɑːrt/
The organ that pumps blood through your body
"The doctor listened to my heart with a stethoscope."
Appointment
/əˈpɔɪnt.mənt/
A scheduled time to meet with a doctor or healthcare provider
"I made an appointment with my doctor for next Monday."
Prescription
/prɪˈskrɪp.ʃən/
A written order from a doctor for medicine or treatment
"The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics."
Exercise
/ˈek.sər.saɪz/
Physical activity to stay healthy and fit
"I exercise three times a week to stay healthy."

Medical English Tips

Effective strategies to master health and medical vocabulary

Keep a Health Journal

Record symptoms and medical terms in English. This helps you prepare for doctor visits and remember important vocabulary.

Practice Common Phrases

Learn standard phrases for describing pain, symptoms, and asking questions at the doctor's office or pharmacy.

Study Body Systems

Learn vocabulary in groups by body system (digestive, respiratory, circulatory) for better organization and retention.

Watch Medical Shows

English medical dramas expose you to authentic healthcare vocabulary and common medical scenarios.

Role-Play Scenarios

Practice doctor-patient conversations with a study partner to build confidence using medical vocabulary.

Read Medicine Labels

Study the instructions on medicine bottles and packages to learn practical healthcare terminology.

Essential Medical Phrases

Key expressions for healthcare situations

Describing Symptoms

  • • "I have a headache."
  • • "My throat hurts."
  • • "I feel dizzy."
  • • "I've been feeling sick."

Asking Questions

  • • "What's wrong with me?"
  • • "How often should I take this?"
  • • "Are there any side effects?"
  • • "When should I come back?"

Making Appointments

  • • "I'd like to make an appointment."
  • • "Do you have any openings?"
  • • "I need to reschedule."
  • • "I'm here for my 2pm appointment."

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