flu
Americannoun
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a specific variety of influenza, usually named for its point of dissemination or its animal vector.
Hong Kong flu; swine flu.
noun
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short for influenza
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any of various viral infections, esp a respiratory or intestinal infection
Etymology
Origin of flu
First recorded in 1830–40; shortened form
Compare meaning
How does flu compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
The flu is a disease that's easily spread between people. When you have body aches, a fever, and a sore throat, you probably have the flu. The word flu is shorthand for "influenza," the official name of this infectious, viral illness. It's not unusual to get the flu, especially in the winter, and while it usually isn't serious, it can be deadly for some groups of people. Your chances of getting the flu are greatly reduced if you get a flu shot. The Italian root influenza means "influenza" or "epidemic," but also "visitation" or "influence of the stars."
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.
Talarico pointed out that he had participated in campaign events via videoconference while suffering from the flu and also attended a concert in Dallas during the time in question.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
He then apparently came down with a pretty bad case of the flu and made no public appearances until Oct.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026
The episode began when Talarico spent nine days off the campaign trail recovering from a bout of the flu.
From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2026
Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Eagle Repository to prevent the spread of bird flu, according to Fish and Wildlife.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
Miep’s been back since yesterday, but today it was her husband’s turn to take to his bed—chills and fever, the usual flu symptoms.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
