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.

---

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

---

shingles Scientific  

/ shĭng′gəlz /

1. See under herpes

---

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

See Examples For:

shingles

"With solar shingles, we don't really have the benefit of that mapping; there's no room underneath the shingle for the electronics."

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Doctors say Americans who get vaccines tend to be healthier than those who do not, and people who ask their doctors about whether to get the shingles vaccine are more likely to be health conscious.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

Several observational studies have found the shingles vaccines may have a benefit for people with heart disease.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

Pharmacists can already prescribe medication for seven conditions - sore throat, earache, sinusitis, shingles, impetigo, infected bites and urinary tract infections.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

And even more had found refuge under loose shingles and were on their way to climbing up to the roof.

From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---