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” ( 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

The solar cells are cut into narrow strips, layered like overlapping shingles, and connected to each other using electrically conductive adhesive, rather than metal wires.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

The Food and Drug Administration approved Shingrix, a recombinant vaccine, in 2017, and it quickly became the go-to shingles vaccine after its launch in early 2018.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

Several observational studies have found the shingles vaccines may have a benefit for people with heart disease.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

Pharmacists can already prescribe medication for seven conditions - sore throat, earache, sinusitis, shingles, impetigo, infected bites and urinary tract infections.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

I imagined the cedars that were now cut and dried and split into house shingles.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk