smallpox
Smallpox (noun) means a severe, often fatal infectious disease caused by the variola virus, eradicated worldwide in the 1970s. Example: “Smallpox was one of the deadliest diseases in human history before vaccination wiped it out.”
How to use smallpox
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA now-eradicated and once deadly viral disease that left survivors with permanent scarring.
Word forms
smallpoxes plural
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_____ was one of the deadliest diseases in human history before vaccination wiped it out.
Etymology
Named "small" pox to distinguish it from the "great pox," an old name for syphilis.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “smallpox” mean?
The word “smallpox” means a severe, often fatal infectious disease caused by the variola virus, eradicated worldwide in the 1970s. In plain terms, a now-eradicated and once deadly viral disease that left survivors with permanent scarring.
How do you pronounce “smallpox”?
“Smallpox” is pronounced SMAWL-poks (/ˈsmɔlpɑks/ in IPA).
How do you use “smallpox” in a sentence?
Here is “smallpox” used in a sentence: “Smallpox was one of the deadliest diseases in human history before vaccination wiped it out.”
What part of speech is “smallpox”?
“Smallpox” is a noun.
Is “smallpox” a common word?
“Smallpox” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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