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sore throat

American  

noun

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


Etymology

Origin of sore throat

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That data measures illnesses that include a fever and a cough or sore throat, which should capture the flu but may also include other pathogens.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

Antibiotic use is driven largely by common colds, which produce secondary bacterial things like sore throat, earache, nasal congestion, sinusitis.

From Slate • Oct. 8, 2025

According to some reports, there may be tell-tale symptoms with the latest ones - a hoarse voice or a "razor blade" sore throat.

From BBC • Sep. 30, 2025

County, 2.8% of emergency room visits were for illnesses such as fever plus a cough or sore throat, up from 2.2% four weeks earlier.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2025

He tried taking Tylenol, hoping it would help his severe sore throat and fever, but the pill lodged in his throat, refusing to dissolve.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore