flu
2 synonyms for flu, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A common contagious viral illness causing fever, aches, and fatigue; short for influenza.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
grippe
How to use flu
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
catch the flu
flu shot
flu season
stomach flu
Etymology
A shortened form of "influenza," itself borrowed from Italian.
Full origin of flu →Frequently asked questions
What does “flu” mean?
The word “flu” means a common contagious viral illness causing fever, aches, and fatigue; short for influenza. In plain terms, a common, unpleasant viral illness that spreads especially in the colder months.
How do you pronounce “flu”?
“Flu” is pronounced floo (/fluː/ in IPA).
How do you use “flu” in a sentence?
Here is “flu” used in a sentence: “Half the office called in sick with the flu last week.”
What part of speech is “flu”?
“Flu” is a noun.
Where does the word “flu” come from?
The word “flu” comes from Italian. A shortened form of "influenza," itself borrowed from Italian.
Is “flu” a common word?
“Flu” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between the flu and a cold?
The flu, short for influenza, is a contagious viral illness that typically brings fever, body aches, and fatigue, and it tends to hit harder and faster than a cold. A common cold usually causes milder symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat.
What is the difference between the flu and a stomach bug?
Despite the nickname "stomach flu," the flu (influenza) is mainly a respiratory illness marked by fever, aches, and fatigue rather than a stomach illness. A stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea is usually a different kind of infection.
Do you say the flu or just flu?
Both are correct. American English commonly says "the flu" ("I have the flu"), while British English often drops the article and says "flu" ("I've got flu").
Should flu be written with an apostrophe as 'flu?
Modern English writes it simply as flu, with no apostrophe, even though it is shortened from influenza. The older form with a leading apostrophe, 'flu, now looks dated.
