noun

dysentery

DIHS-uhn-tuh-ree

Dysentery (noun) means a serious intestinal infection causing severe diarrhoea, often with blood, along with fever and abdominal pain. Example: “Poor sanitation in the camp led to an outbreak of dysentery.”

noun

A serious intestinal infection causing severe diarrhoea, often with blood, along with fever and abdominal pain.

"Poor sanitation in the camp led to an outbreak of dysentery."

How to use dysentery

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA nasty gut infection that causes bloody diarrhoea and fever, usually from contaminated food or water.

Easily confused with

diarrhea →

Common pairings

outbreak of dysentery contract dysentery

Word forms

dysenteries plural

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Poor sanitation in the camp led to an outbreak of _____.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek dusentería, combining dus- ("bad") and éntera ("bowels").

Origin: Ancient Greek

Rhymes for dysentery

very every fiery query leery emery artery celery bakery finery ornery misery

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Frequently asked questions

What does “dysentery” mean?

The word “dysentery” means a serious intestinal infection causing severe diarrhoea, often with blood, along with fever and abdominal pain. In plain terms, a nasty gut infection that causes bloody diarrhoea and fever, usually from contaminated food or water.

How do you pronounce “dysentery”?

“Dysentery” is pronounced DIHS-uhn-tuh-ree (/ˈdɪs.ənˌtɛɹ.i/ in IPA).

How do you use “dysentery” in a sentence?

Here is “dysentery” used in a sentence: “Poor sanitation in the camp led to an outbreak of dysentery.”

What part of speech is “dysentery”?

“Dysentery” is a noun.

Where does the word “dysentery” come from?

The word “dysentery” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek dusentería, combining dus- ("bad") and éntera ("bowels").