fever

American  

[fee-ver] / ˈfi vər /

noun

1. an abnormal condition of the body, characterized by undue rise in temperature, quickening of the pulse, and disturbance of various body functions.

2. an abnormally high body temperature.

3. the number of degrees of such a temperature above the normal.

4. any of a group of diseases in which high temperature is a prominent symptom.

   scarlet fever.

5. intense nervous excitement.

   The audience was in a fever of anticipation.

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verb (used with object)

1. to affect with or as with fever.

   The excitement fevered him.

fever British  

/ ˈfiːvə /

noun

1. an abnormally high body temperature, accompanied by a fast pulse rate, dry skin, etc

2. any of various diseases, such as yellow fever or scarlet fever, characterized by a high temperature

3. intense nervous excitement or agitation

   she was in a fever about her party

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verb

1. (tr) to affect with or as if with fever

fever Scientific  

/ fē′vər /

1. A body temperature that is higher than normal. Fever is the body's natural response to the release of substances called pyrogens by infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. The pyrogens stimulate the hypothalamus in the brain to conserve heat and increase the basal metabolic rate.

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fever Idioms  

1. see cabin fever; run a fever.

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Other Word Forms

• fevered adjective
• feverless adjective
• unfevered adjective

Etymology

Origin of fever

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English fefer, from Latin febr-, stem of febris; reinforced by Anglo-French fevre, Old French fievre, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

As Salon has previously reported, experts emphasize measles isn’t just a fever and a rash as anti-vaccine influencers portray online.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

The marketing of artists after their deaths has reached a fever pitch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Flea-borne typhus infection symptoms include fever, headache, chills, body aches and a rash on or around the chest, sides and back.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Her parents from Blackwood, Caerphilly county, described how MenB wasn't immediately diagnosed, and warned others to look out for symptoms including high fever and vomiting.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

At last one night Betsie’s fever registered over the required 104 degrees.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• delirium
• frenzy
• turmoil