fever

American  

[fee-ver] / ˈfi vər /

noun

• fevers
  plural

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

• fevered
  adjective
• feverless
  adjective
• unfevered
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• fevers
  plural

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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

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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

See Examples For:

fever fevers

"Among the viruses that more easily affect the body with the help of these drugs are Rift Valley fever virus, influenza A, adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19," Kainov says.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 27, 2026

Ebola is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and causes severe haemorrhagic fever.

From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026

The man who flew into Nairobi’s main airport this month almost immediately showed classic symptoms of the highly contagious Ebola virus: a high fever and blood pooling under his skin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

John Turturro has appeared in some classic L.A. movies during his 40-plus-year career, from the showbiz fever dream “Barton Fink” to the shaggy stoner noir “The Big Lebowski.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

There was no protection from common childhood illnesses like tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, diphtheria, or whooping cough.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

It is considered the safest option for treating pain and fever in pregnant women, as other medications, including aspirin or ibuprofen, present proven risks to the fetus -- as do untreated fevers.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

"There was no fevers, no headaches, absolutely nothing. It came from nowhere."

From BBC ● May 27, 2026

Health officials say the sick passengers have symptoms like fevers along with gastrointestinal and respiratory issues.

From MarketWatch ● May 5, 2026

There was Kent Brantly, 27, a family physician who, owing to the grueling hours and oppressive African heat, had lost 30 pounds even before he succumbed to hemorrhagic fevers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

Now a real fire beat in my temples, all the fevers I’d ever begged for, caught up to me at last.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

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