English Vocabulary – Medicine
Learn useful English medical vocabulary used at the doctor’s office, hospital, pharmacy, and in everyday conversations. Build your confidence with common medical words, symptoms, treatments, healthcare professionals, and practical English phrases.
Healthcare Places
- hospital
- clinic
- doctor’s office
- emergency room
- ambulance
- pharmacy
- laboratory
- waiting room
- operating room
- intensive care unit
- reception
- ward
- medical centre
- health centre
- rehabilitation centre
Medical Professionals
- doctor
- physician
- surgeon
- nurse
- dentist
- pharmacist
- therapist
- psychologist
- psychiatrist
- pediatrician
- cardiologist
- dermatologist
- neurologist
- ophthalmologist
- radiologist
- paramedic
Medical Equipment
- stethoscope
- thermometer
- wheelchair
- crutches
- bandage
- syringe
- needle
- mask
- gloves
- X-ray machine
- MRI scanner
- ultrasound machine
- blood pressure monitor
- oxygen mask
- heart monitor
Common Symptoms
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| pain | physical discomfort |
| headache | pain in the head |
| fever | high body temperature |
| cough | forceful breathing |
| sore throat | pain in the throat |
| runny nose | liquid coming from the nose |
| stomachache | pain in the stomach |
| backache | pain in the back |
| earache | pain in the ear |
| toothache | pain in the tooth |
| dizziness | feeling unsteady |
| nausea | feeling sick |
| vomiting | bringing food back up |
| rash | red spots on the skin |
| swelling | body part becomes larger |
| infection | illness caused by germs |
| allergy | reaction to something |
| cold | common viral illness |
| flu | influenza |
| broken bone | fracture |
Medicine Vocabulary
- medicine
- pill
- tablet
- capsule
- syrup
- cream
- ointment
- drops
- prescription
- treatment
- antibiotic
- painkiller
- vitamin
- vaccine
- dose
- injection
- operation
- surgery
- recovery
- diagnosis
- patient
- appointment
- check-up
- medical record
- blood test
- X-ray
- MRI
- ultrasound
- scan
- heartbeat
- pulse
- blood pressure
- temperature
- breathing
- health
- disease
- virus
- bacteria
- injury
- wound
Useful English Phrases
I don’t feel well.
I have a headache.
I have a fever.
I have a sore throat.
I have a cough.
My stomach hurts.
My back hurts.
I feel dizzy.
I feel sick.
I need a doctor.
Can you help me?
Where is the nearest hospital?
Where is the pharmacy?
Do I need medicine?
How often should I take it?
Should I take this before meals?
Should I take this after meals?
I am allergic to penicillin.
I have an appointment.
Thank you, doctor.
Doctor and Patient Conversation
| Doctor | Patient |
|---|---|
| What seems to be the problem? | I have a fever and a sore throat. |
| How long have you felt like this? | For two days. |
| Do you have any allergies? | No, I don’t. |
| I’ll examine you. | Okay. |
| You need to take these tablets twice a day. | Thank you. |
Emergency Vocabulary
- emergency
- call an ambulance
- accident
- bleeding
- burn
- unconscious
- heart attack
- stroke
- fracture
- first aid
- CPR
- emergency number
- help
- save
- danger
- injured
- rescue
- emergency exit
- oxygen
- ambulance driver
Tips for Learning Medical English
- Learn vocabulary by category.
- Practice common doctor-patient conversations.
- Memorize common symptoms first.
- Study medicine names and treatments.
- Read health articles written in simple English.
- Watch medical videos with English subtitles.
- Review new words regularly.
- Use new vocabulary in complete sentences.