mpox
1 synonym for mpox, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A viral disease related to smallpox that affects primates and some other mammals, caused by the Orthopoxvirus monkeypox.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
monkeypox
How to use mpox
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
mpox outbreak
mpox cases
mpox symptoms
contract mpox
Mpox is the term now used in medical and public health contexts in place of monkeypox.
Etymology
Mpox is a shortened form of monkeypox, put forward in 2022 to move away from language seen as racist and stigmatising. The name was proposed by the Montreal-based group RÉZO, working with other Canadian organisations, alongside a parallel effort to change the French term.
Full origin of mpox →Frequently asked questions
What is mpox?
It is a viral disease related to smallpox, caused by the Orthopoxvirus monkeypox, that affects primates and some other mammals.
Why was the name changed from monkeypox to mpox?
The name mpox was introduced in 2022 to discourage racist and stigmatising interpretations associated with the older term monkeypox.
Is mpox the same as monkeypox?
Yes, mpox is the current name for the disease previously called monkeypox.
