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Synonyms

flu

American  
[floo] / flu /

noun

  1. influenza.

  2. a specific variety of influenza, usually named for its point of dissemination or its animal vector.

    Hong Kong flu; swine flu.


flu British  
/ fluː /

noun

  1. short for influenza

  2. any of various viral infections, esp a respiratory or intestinal infection

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

flu Scientific  
/ flo̅o̅ /
  1. See influenza


Etymology

Origin of flu

First recorded in 1830–40; shortened form

Compare meaning

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If I came down with a bad cold or the flu, Daisy would put on her uniform and go to work.

From Literature

Raw chicken was also suspected as the cause of a major bird flu outbreak at a tiger zoo in Chonburi province in 2004.

From BBC

"The last time we saw a wreck on this scale was 2014," Wrobel added, "and after the impact of avian flu this is the last thing our seabirds need".

From BBC

The selloff came after the company said the Food and Drug Administration had refused to review its application to sell a new seasonal flu vaccine.

From Barron's

Moderna stock fell on Wednesday after the vaccine maker said the Food and Drug Administration refused to review its application to sell a new seasonal flu vaccine.

From Barron's