ringworm

American  

[ring-wurm] / ˈrɪŋˌwɜrm /

noun

Pathology.

• ringworms
  plural

1. any of a number of contagious skin diseases caused by certain parasitic fungi and characterized by the formation of ring-shaped eruptive patches.

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ringworm British  

/ ˈrɪŋˌwɜːm /

noun

1. Also called: tinea.  any of various fungal infections of the skin (esp the scalp) or nails, often appearing as itching circular patches

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ringworm Scientific  

/ rĭng′wûrm′ /

1. Any of a number of contagious fungal infections of the skin, hair, or nails caused chiefly by species of the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. Ringworm often causes scaly, itching ring-shaped patches, especially on the skin.

2. Also called tinea

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ringworms
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ringworm

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; ring ¹ + worm

Compare meaning

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

• impetigo vs. ringworm

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ringworm ringworms

Gareth Penn, chief executive of the Hair and Barber Council, said the rise of illegal barbers has led to fungal infections, such as ringworm, from improperly cleaned equipment.

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2025

One of them is the mother of Brandon, a kid with ringworm, whose mom who doesn’t view that as enough of an excuse to interrupt her day.

From Salon ● Dec. 27, 2024

However, the tinea explored in the new reports can look very different from the neat, regular circles seen in most forms of ringworm.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2024

Oats also have antiviral and antifungal properties, which makes them useful in fighting the itch from chicken pox, shingles, and ringworm.

From National Geographic ● Feb. 7, 2024

The strong smell not only got rid of the ringworm, but it also kept my schoolmates away.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

You’ve got to buy a helmet, because you don’t want to get ringworms in your head from someone else.”

From New York Times ● Jun. 3, 2013

They are known as ringworms of the scalp.

From The Mother and Her Child by William S. Sadler

To dream of having ringworms appear on you, you will have a slight illness, and some exasperating difficulty in the near future.

From Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, or what's in a dream: a scientific and practical exposition by Gustavus Hindman Miller

Small troubles such as chafing, sore feet, saddle boils, sore eyes, felons, whitlows, earache, toothache, carbuncles, fleas, lice and ringworms, are all caused by lack of cleanliness, and they put men on sick report.

From Manual of Military Training Second, Revised Edition by James A. (James Alfred) Moss

Tar ointment is good for ringworms in the head, which some children have, and has cured children where the head and face was covered with what is called the "milk crust."

From Domestic Cookery, Useful Receipts, and Hints to Young Housekeepers by Elizabeth E. (Elizabeth Ellicott) Lea