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.

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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

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shingles Scientific  

/ shĭng′gəlz /

1. See under herpes

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Etymology

Origin of shingles

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

Bieber cancelled his world tour after revealing he was suffering from facial paralysis, after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome - a complication from contracting shingles - in 2022.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

The singer announced he was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a shingles outbreak that can cause facial paralysis.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Even so, the study's large sample size and statistical approach provide strong evidence that shingles vaccination is associated with a meaningful reduction in heart risk.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

The government of Wales made free shingles vaccines available 13 years ago to everyone in the population under the age of 80 and born after a specific date.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 7, 2026

Old radiators had been dropped here and pipes and slate shingles from the roof and even a bathroom sink.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt