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noun

dengue

DEHNG-gee

Dengue (noun) means a tropical viral illness spread by mosquitoes, causing high fever, rash, and severe joint pain. Example: “Health officials warned travelers about a dengue outbreak in the region.”

noun
1
A tropical viral illness spread by mosquitoes, causing high fever, rash, and severe joint pain.
"Health officials warned travelers about a dengue outbreak in the region."
"She was hospitalized with dengue after a trip to Southeast Asia."

How to use dengue

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA serious mosquito-borne tropical disease, sometimes called "breakbone fever" because of the severe joint and muscle pain it causes.

Common pairings
dengue fever dengue outbreak contract dengue

Word forms

dengues plural

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Health officials warned travelers about a _____ outbreak in the region.

Etymology

Entered English via Spanish dengue in the 1800s, tracing back to a Swahili term for a sudden cramp-like seizure.

Origin: Spanish · First attested 1800

Class of 1800 dengue joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
dandy fever dengue fever breakbone fever

Rhymes for dengue

See all rhymes for dengue →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dengue” mean?

The word “dengue” means a tropical viral illness spread by mosquitoes, causing high fever, rash, and severe joint pain. In plain terms, a serious mosquito-borne tropical disease, sometimes called "breakbone fever" because of the severe joint and muscle pain it causes.

How do you pronounce “dengue”?

“Dengue” is pronounced DEHNG-gee (/ˈdɛŋ.ɡi/ in IPA).

How do you use “dengue” in a sentence?

Here is “dengue” used in a sentence: “Health officials warned travelers about a dengue outbreak in the region.”

What part of speech is “dengue”?

“Dengue” is a noun.

Where does the word “dengue” come from?

The word “dengue” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Spanish. Entered English via Spanish dengue in the 1800s, tracing back to a Swahili term for a sudden cramp-like seizure.

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