shingles

American  

[shing-guhlz] / ˈʃɪŋ gəlz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a disease caused by the varicella zoster virus, especially by reactivated virus in an older person, characterized by skin eruptions and pain along the course of involved sensory nerves.

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shingles British  

/ ˈʃɪŋɡəlz /

noun

1. Technical names: herpes zoster.   zoster.  (functioning as singular) an acute viral disease affecting the ganglia of certain nerves, characterized by inflammation, pain, and skin eruptions along the course of the affected nerve

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shingles Scientific  

/ shĭng′gəlz /

1. See under herpes

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Etymology

Origin of shingles

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin cingulum, in Latin: “girdle,” from cingere “to gird, cinch” ( cf. cincture); translation of Greek zṓnē “belt” or zōstḗr “girdle”; see zone, zoster

Compare meaning

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

• genital herpes vs. shingles

Example Sentences

As part of the Pharmacy First scheme, pharmacists can currently prescribe medication for a sore throat, earache, sinusitis, shingles, impetigo, infected bites and urinary tract infections.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Curevo’s shingles vaccine has completed a midstage clinical trial and is likely a few years away from becoming a commercial product, assuming it clears a larger, late-stage study and regulatory approval, Skovronsky said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

For example, dormant viruses that remain inactive for years can become active again when the immune system weakens with age, leading to conditions such as shingles.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

The singer announced he was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a shingles outbreak that can cause facial paralysis.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

We’ve made three trips to the transfer station and one trip around the mall to the box stores and collected a ton of free stuff: nails, wood, wire, shingles, and more!

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz