shingles

American  

[shing-guhlz] / ˈʃɪŋ gəlz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a disease caused by the varicella zoster virus, especially by reactivated virus in an older person, characterized by skin eruptions and pain along the course of involved sensory nerves.

---

shingles British  

/ ˈʃɪŋɡəlz /

noun

1. Technical names: herpes zoster, zoster. (functioning as singular) an acute viral disease affecting the ganglia of certain nerves, characterized by inflammation, pain, and skin eruptions along the course of the affected nerve

---

shingles Scientific  

/ shĭng′gəlz /

1. See under herpes

---

Etymology

Origin of shingles

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin cingulum, in Latin: “girdle,” from cingere “to gird, cinch” ( cf. cincture); translation of Greek zṓnē “belt” or zōstḗr “girdle”; see zone, zoster

---

Compare meaning

How does shingles compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• genital herpes vs. shingles

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shingles

First, we don’t know yet how long the vaccine offers immunity against shingles, nor is it clear whether the protective qualities it seems to offer older folks apply when it’s given to younger populations.

From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2026

Reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, aka chickenpox, into herpes zoster, aka shingles, does typically happen in later life.

From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2026

Home builders rely on several different petroleum-based products—including asphalt shingles and PVC pipes—and prices for those have surged because of the Iran war.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

MeRT, in contrast, aims to provide a more targeted solution, comparable to identifying and replacing the damaged shingles responsible for the problem.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026

The schoolhouse had lost some shingles and had the dry, webby look of a schoolhouse in summertime.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---