noun
influenza
ihn-floo-EHN-zuh
noun
1
A contagious viral illness affecting the airways and lungs, often causing fever, aches, and fatigue.
"Health officials urged people to get vaccinated ahead of influenza season."
"Influenza spreads quickly in crowded indoor spaces during winter."
How to Use Influenza
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe proper medical name for the flu.
When to use it
"Flu" is the everyday word; "influenza" is used in formal or medical contexts.
Common pairings
influenza vaccine
influenza outbreak
strain of influenza
Word Forms
influenzas plural, influenze plural
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Health officials urged people to get vaccinated ahead of _____ season.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian influenza, "influence," from Latin influentia — early epidemics were blamed on the "influence" of the stars. A doublet of influence.