smallpox
2 synonyms for smallpox, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A severe, often fatal infectious disease caused by the variola virus, eradicated worldwide in the 1970s.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
variola
variola major
How to use smallpox
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
smallpox vaccine
smallpox outbreak
Etymology
Named "small" pox to distinguish it from the "great pox," an old name for syphilis.
Full origin of smallpox →Frequently asked questions
What does “smallpox” mean?
The word “smallpox” means a severe, often fatal infectious disease caused by the variola virus, eradicated worldwide in the 1970s. In plain terms, a now-eradicated and once deadly viral disease that left survivors with permanent scarring.
How do you pronounce “smallpox”?
“Smallpox” is pronounced SMAWL-poks (/ˈsmɔlpɑks/ in IPA).
How do you use “smallpox” in a sentence?
Here is “smallpox” used in a sentence: “Smallpox was one of the deadliest diseases in human history before vaccination wiped it out.”
What part of speech is “smallpox”?
“Smallpox” is a noun.
Is “smallpox” a common word?
“Smallpox” is an uncommon word in modern English.
