scarlet fever

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a contagious febrile disease caused by streptococci and characterized by a scarlet eruption.

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scarlet fever British  

noun

1. Technical name: scarlatina.  an acute communicable disease characterized by fever, strawberry-coloured tongue, and a typical rash starting on the neck and chest and spreading to the abdomen and limbs, caused by all group A haemolytic Streptococcus bacteria

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scarlet fever Scientific  

/ skär′lĭt /

1. A severe acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, occurring mainly in children, and marked by high fever, sore throat and a red skin rash.

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scarlet fever Cultural  

1. An acute and contagious disease caused by a kind of streptococcus. Characterized by fever, sore throat, and a bright red rash, scarlet fever can be treated with penicillin.

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Etymology

Origin of scarlet fever

First recorded in 1670–80

Compare meaning

How does scarlet-fever compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• scarlet fever vs. roseola

Example Sentences

Even when Beth dies from the after-effects of scarlet fever, the March sisters aren’t shattered but brought closer together.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

He was socially awkward and expelled from school for poor grades - his work badly affected by a bout of scarlet fever.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

And then she had to sacrifice herself to scarlet fever because she wore the red gown.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2024

When William gets scarlet fever, the Velveteen Rabbit is banished and William fears he will never see his friend again.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2023

By the next day, they were certain the baby had scarlet fever; “Baby worse,” Emma wrote in her diary.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman