pinkeye

American  

[pingk-ahy] / ˈpɪŋkˌaɪ /

Or pink eye

noun

Pathology.

1. a contagious form of acute conjunctivitis occurring in humans and certain animals: so called from the color of the inflamed eye.

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pinkeye British  

/ ˈpɪŋkˌaɪ /

noun

1. Also called: acute conjunctivitis. an acute contagious inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye, characterized by redness, discharge, etc: usually caused by bacterial infection

2. Also called: infectious keratitis. a similar condition affecting the cornea of horses and cattle

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Usage

What is pinkeye? Pinkeye is the common name for conjunctivitis and occasionally used as a slang term for other things. Pinkeye is often spelled as two words: pink eye.

Etymology

Origin of pinkeye

First recorded in 1785–95; pink ¹ + eye

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pinkeye

The couple’s son got pinkeye and the flu at the same time.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 26, 2026

Some people may develop conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, or experience gastrointestinal issues, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but those symptoms are rarer.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 26, 2024

It’s too early to say whether Arcturus is associated with a greater rate of pinkeye than older coronavirus variants.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2023

So far, the siege has spanned three upper-respiratory infections, numerous high fevers, relentless congestion and two confirmed cases of pinkeye, she says.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 9, 2022

They never got mumps or pinkeye or colds or stomachaches or anything.

From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson

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