dengue

American  

[deng-gey, -gee] / ˈdɛŋ geɪ, -gi /

noun

Pathology.

1. an infectious, eruptive fever of warm climates, usually epidemic, characterized especially by severe pains in the joints and muscles.

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dengue British  

/ ˈdændɪ, ˈdɛŋɡɪ /

noun

1. Also called: breakbone fever.  an acute viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, characterized by headache, fever, pains in the joints, and skin rash

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dengue Scientific  

/ dĕng′gē,-gā /

1. An acute, infectious tropical disease caused by any of several viruses of the genus Flavivirus. It is transmitted by mosquitoes, and characterized by high fever, rash, headache, and severe muscle and joint pain.

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Etymology

Origin of dengue

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30; from Latin American Spanish: literally, “prudery, affectation,” by folk etymology from Swahili -dinga, kadinga “seizure, cramp” or from another Bantu language

Explanation

Dengue is a tropical disease that's spread through mosquito bites. The best way to avoid getting dengue is to use insect repellant and cover windows with mosquito netting. Dengue, or dengue fever, is a common viral illness in more than 100 countries around the world. It is usually relatively mild, but about 18 percent of infected people end up in the hospital, some of them requiring blood transfusions. Symptoms include body aches, fever, and rash, with severe cases causing low platelet counts. As the climate warms and mosquito populations grow, dengue cases have also increased. Dengue is derived from the Swahili dinga, "seizure or cramp."

Example Sentences

The report points to the impacts of rising temperatures today, which are helping to intensify many types of extreme weather and aiding the spread of diseases such as dengue.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Malaria is rampant at the camps, and last year, the miner said, he came home to find he had malaria, dengue fever and kidney failure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

In the regions studied, mosquitoes spread viruses such as Yellow Fever, dengue, Zika, Mayaro, Sabiá, and Chikungunya.

From Science Daily • Jan. 15, 2026

Twenty-one children are among 33 people who have died in Cuba of the mosquito-borne chikungunya and dengue viruses since July, authorities said Monday.

From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025

The weakness that his dengue fever had left was finally gone.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler