mange

American  

[meynj] / meɪndʒ /

noun

Veterinary Pathology.

1. any of various skin diseases caused by parasitic mites, affecting animals and sometimes humans and characterized by loss of hair and scabby eruptions.

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mange British  

/ meɪndʒ /

noun

1. an infectious disorder mainly affecting domestic animals, characterized by itching, formation of papules and vesicles, and loss of hair: caused by parasitic mites

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Etymology

Origin of mange

1375–1425; late Middle English manjewe < Middle French mangeue an eating, itch, derivative of mangier to eat; see manger

Explanation

Mange is a skin disease caused by parasites. If your dog gets mange, she'll be very itchy and may develop some bald patches in her fur. Time for a trip to the vet. Mammals are vulnerable to mange, which they get when tiny mites embed themselves in their skin. While humans and plants can also be infected by mites, the resulting conditions have different names, including scabies in the case of people. Mange is generally only used for furry mammals including dogs, cats, horses, coyotes, and sheep. If an animal has mange, you can describe it as being (literally) mangy.

Example Sentences

Mange is a common issue for foxes, especially during winter, with many foxes dying or being left with serious injuries such as blindness.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Mange isn’t rare and has affected other canids in the state, including coyotes.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2025

Poche’s travels took her to a few familiar local locations, including Bourgeois Meat Market, Fremin’s Restaurant and the Alumni Grill in Thibodaux, and the Bon Mange Festival in Gheens.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2020

Raw is the third film Ducournau has worked on with Marillier, after the director’s short film, Junior, and her TV movie, Mange.

From The Guardian • Apr. 21, 2017

My best friend, Marie-Claude Mange, known as Clo, was either second, just above me, or third, just below me.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall