Words / C1

en-DEM-ik/enˈdemɪk/

Endemic means regularly found in a particular place or group, of a disease or a problem: endemic malaria, endemic corruption. Epidemic (already in the dictionary) is a sudden outbreak; pandemic is worldwide; exotic in medicine means from elsewhere. Calling understaffing “culture” hides a rota.

Meaning

Regularly found among a particular people or in a particular place (of a disease or problem).

Examples

• “Endemic understaffing of the night sitting is a rota fact, not “culture”.”
• “Epidemic is already in this course (a spike). Native is looser. Culture is a story. A blank on Thursday nights is a pattern you can date. Staff the pattern; keep culture for the prospectus.”

Good to know

Regularly present in a place or group. Contrast: epidemic (already in the dictionary) = a spike. “Culture” ≠ a dated rota gap.

Near in meaning

native

New