typhus
Typhus (noun) means a serious bacterial disease spread by lice or fleas, causing high fever, rash, and confusion. Example: “Typhus spread rapidly through the crowded, unsanitary camp.”
How to use typhus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dangerous fever spread by lice or fleas — not the same illness as typhoid.
Don't mix up with typhoid, which is a different, food-and-water-borne disease.
Word forms
typhuses plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ spread rapidly through the crowded, unsanitary camp.
Etymology
From a Greek word meaning "fever" or "stupor," related to a verb meaning "to smoke," describing the clouded mental state the disease can cause.
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for typhus
See all rhymes for typhus →Frequently asked questions
What does “typhus” mean?
The word “typhus” means a serious bacterial disease spread by lice or fleas, causing high fever, rash, and confusion. In plain terms, a dangerous fever spread by lice or fleas — not the same illness as typhoid.
How do you pronounce “typhus”?
“Typhus” is pronounced TEYE-fuhs (/ˈtaɪfəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “typhus” in a sentence?
Here is “typhus” used in a sentence: “Typhus spread rapidly through the crowded, unsanitary camp.”
What part of speech is “typhus”?
“Typhus” is a noun.
Where does the word “typhus” come from?
The word “typhus” comes from Greek. From a Greek word meaning "fever" or "stupor," related to a verb meaning "to smoke," describing the clouded mental state the disease can cause.