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

Derived Forms

• feverless
  adjective
• fevered
  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

Explanation

A fever happens when the body's internal temperature is higher than normal. If you have a sore throat, a headache, and a fever, you may have the flu. When you have a fever, your skin may feel hot, and your temperature as measured by a thermometer will be high. A fever can also make you feel achy, tired, and chilly, and it can be a sign that you've got some kind of infection. The Old English is fefor, from a Latin root, febris, also "fever." Doctors and nurses sometimes refer to a fever as a "febrile response."

Example Sentences

Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark will be the grand marshal.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

The award-winning actor is known for such films as Pulp Fiction, Grease and Saturday Night Fever.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

The Fever have built around her with Aliyah Boston on a four-year deal, Kelsey Mitchell is back and they added rookie guard Raven Johnson and veteran forward Billings.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

“We had planned for her to come out about that time anyway,” Fever coach Stephanie White said after the game, adding that Clark didn’t need additional evaluation.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

He smiles because he’s an old man of forty and he never had children but the ones he can talk to here in the Fever Hospital.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt

Related Words

• delirium
• frenzy
• turmoil