Flu: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿค’
Add to dictionary

flu

 

[ fluห ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

medical

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It typically starts suddenly and can cause mild to severe illness, and sometimes lead to hospitalization or even death.

Synonyms

influenza, respiratory illness, viral infection

Examples of usage

  • The flu season typically peaks in the winter months.
  • She caught the flu and had to stay in bed for a week.
  • Getting a flu shot can help prevent the illness.
  • If you have the flu, it's important to stay home to avoid spreading it to others.
Context #2 | Verb

informal

To be under the weather; to feel unwell or sick.

Synonyms

sick, under the weather, unwell

Examples of usage

  • I'm feeling flu-ish today, so I think I'll stay home.
  • She's been flu-ing for the past few days and hasn't been able to go to work.

Translations

Translations of the word "flu" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น gripe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคซเคผเฅเคฒเฅ‚

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Grippe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ flu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณั€ะธะฟ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ grypa

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚คใƒณใƒ•ใƒซใ‚จใƒณใ‚ถ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท grippe

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ gripe

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท grip

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋…๊ฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฅู†ูู„ูˆู†ุฒุง

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ chล™ipka

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ chrรญpka

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆตๆ„Ÿ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ gripa

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ flensa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฑะผะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒ แƒ˜แƒžแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qrip

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ gripe

Etymology

The word 'flu' is a shortened form of 'influenza', which comes from Italian 'influenza' meaning 'influence'. The term was originally used to describe outbreaks of disease attributed to unfavorable astrological influences. The first recorded use of 'flu' to refer to influenza was in the 1830s.

See also: flue, fluent, fluid.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,596, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.