measles
2 synonyms for measles, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A highly contagious viral illness, common in children, that causes a red rash, fever, a runny nose, coughing and red eyes.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
rubeola
morbilli
How to use measles
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
catch measles
a measles outbreak
a measles vaccine
a case of measles
a measles rash
Neutral, and used in both everyday and medical writing.
Etymology
The word probably comes from Middle Dutch masels or Middle Low German maselen, both meaning blood blisters or red blemishes. These in turn go back to Old High German masala, meaning a blood blister.
Full origin of measles →Frequently asked questions
What causes measles?
Measles is caused by a virus called Measles morbillivirus. It is a highly contagious illness.
Is measles singular or plural?
The word looks plural, but it takes a singular verb, as in "measles is spreading". It is usually used with the, as in "the measles".
What are the symptoms of measles?
The illness causes red rashes, fever, a runny nose, coughing and red eyes.
