flu
floo
Flu (noun) means a common contagious viral illness causing fever, aches, and fatigue; short for influenza. Example: “I stayed in bed all weekend because I had the flu.”
noun
1
A common contagious viral illness causing fever, aches, and fatigue; short for influenza.
"I stayed in bed all weekend because I had the flu."
"Half the office called in sick with the flu last week."
"Get your flu shot before winter sets in."
How to use flu
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common, unpleasant viral illness that spreads especially in the colder months.
Common mistake
The "stomach flu" is actually usually a different kind of virus (gastroenteritis), not related to influenza at all.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
catch the flu
flu shot
flu season
stomach flu
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Word forms
- Plural
- flus
Fill the gap
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I stayed in bed all weekend because I had the _____.
Etymology
A shortened form of "influenza," itself borrowed from Italian.
Synonyms
View more →
influenza
grippe
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “flu” mean?
The word “flu” means a common contagious viral illness causing fever, aches, and fatigue; short for influenza. In plain terms, a common, unpleasant viral illness that spreads especially in the colder months.
How do you pronounce “flu”?
“Flu” is pronounced floo (/fluː/ in IPA).
How do you use “flu” in a sentence?
Here is “flu” used in a sentence: “Half the office called in sick with the flu last week.”
What part of speech is “flu”?
“Flu” is a noun.
Where does the word “flu” come from?
The word “flu” comes from Italian. A shortened form of "influenza," itself borrowed from Italian.
Is “flu” a common word?
“Flu” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between the flu and a cold?
The flu, short for influenza, is a contagious viral illness that typically brings fever, body aches, and fatigue, and it tends to hit harder and faster than a cold. A common cold usually causes milder symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat.
What is the difference between the flu and a stomach bug?
Despite the nickname "stomach flu," the flu (influenza) is mainly a respiratory illness marked by fever, aches, and fatigue rather than a stomach illness. A stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea is usually a different kind of infection.
Do you say the flu or just flu?
Both are correct. American English commonly says "the flu" ("I have the flu"), while British English often drops the article and says "flu" ("I've got flu").
Should flu be written with an apostrophe as 'flu?
Modern English writes it simply as flu, with no apostrophe, even though it is shortened from influenza. The older form with a leading apostrophe, 'flu, now looks dated.
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