ringworm
Americannoun
noun
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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.
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Also called tinea
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of ringworm
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; ring 1 + worm
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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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
Healthcare providers should watch out for new and highly contagious forms of ringworm or jock itch, which are emerging as a potential public health threat, according to a pair of reports.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2024
Coconut oil is a great natural remedy for all sorts of skin problems: dry skin, itchiness, athlete’s foot, ringworm, diaper rash, and eczema.
From National Geographic ● Feb. 7, 2024
In the way of medical treatments, she had already dabbed gentian violet on ringworm, aquaflavine emulsion on a cut, and painted lead lotion on a bruise.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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
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 Miller, Gustavus Hindman
The continual drinking the decoction of it helps red faces, tetters, and ringworms, because Mars causeth them.
From Storyology Essays in Folk-Lore, Sea-Lore, and Plant-Lore by Taylor, Benjamin
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 Moss, James A. (James Alfred)
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 Lea, Elizabeth E. (Elizabeth Ellicott)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
