influenza
ihn-floo-EHN-zuh
Influenza (noun) means a contagious viral illness affecting the airways and lungs, often causing fever, aches, and fatigue. Example: “Health officials urged people to get vaccinated ahead of influenza season.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- influenzas, influenze
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “influenza” mean?
The word “influenza” means a contagious viral illness affecting the airways and lungs, often causing fever, aches, and fatigue. In plain terms, the proper medical name for the flu.
How do you pronounce “influenza”?
“Influenza” is pronounced ihn-floo-EHN-zuh (/ˌɪn.fluˈɛn.zə/ in IPA).
How do you use “influenza” in a sentence?
Here is “influenza” used in a sentence: “Health officials urged people to get vaccinated ahead of influenza season.”
What part of speech is “influenza”?
“Influenza” is a noun.
Where does the word “influenza” come from?
The word “influenza” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Italian influenza, "influence," from Latin influentia — early epidemics were blamed on the "influence" of the stars. A doublet of influence.
Is “influenza” a common word?
“Influenza” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
