pox

American  

[poks] / pɒks /

noun

Pathology.

1. a disease characterized by multiple skin pustules, as smallpox.

2. syphilis.

3. Also called soil rot.  Plant Pathology. a disease of sweet potatoes, characterized by numerous pitlike lesions on the roots, caused by a fungus, Streptomyces ipomoea.

4. (used as an interjection to express distaste, rejection, aversion, etc.).

   A pox on you and your bright ideas!

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pox British  

/ pɒks /

noun

1. any disease characterized by the formation of pustules on the skin that often leave pockmarks when healed

2. an informal name for syphilis

3. archaic (interjection) an expression of intense disgust or aversion for someone

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Etymology

Origin of pox

1540–50 (earlier as surname); spelling variant of pocks, plural of pock

Example Sentences

Becerra pointed to his experiences leading the sprawling federal health agency in the Biden administration, including dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the wildfires that devastated Maui, Hawaii, avian flu and monkey pox.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Air travelers standing in line for hours to get through security might wish a pox on all politicians.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

What struck me instead is how ably Garbus presents what Rupert Murdoch and men like him have wrought as not just a blight on society but a pox on all our houses, including his own.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

Greek farmers have sustained major losses from an infestation of sheep pox, and an EU investigation into widespread subsidy fraud that has delayed payments to legitimate claimants.

From Barron's • Nov. 30, 2025

That mark on the bridge of my nose is a chicken pox scar.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

Related Words

• gonorrhea
• herpes
• syphilis