sore throat

American  

noun

Pathology.

• sore throats
  plural

1. a painful or sensitive condition of the throat exaggerated by swallowing or talking, usually caused by bacteria or viruses; laryngitis; pharyngitis; tonsillitis.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sore throats
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sore throat

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sore throat

A few weeks ago, my Oura flagged “major signs of strain”—24 hours before I felt a sore throat and a stuffy nose.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

My sore throat was gone, but speaking for more than 10 seconds made me lightheaded, as if I were trying to blow up a balloon simply by talking.

From Slate ● Apr. 18, 2026

Influenza can lead to complications and fatalities, especially in people 65 years and older or under 5 with fever, cough and sore throat.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 7, 2026

Another, seen with newer variants Stratus and Nimbus that are still around, is a "razor-sharp" sore throat.

From BBC ● Dec. 15, 2025

Mirren has a sore throat and body aches.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart