# dengue

/ˈdɛnɡ/ (US) · /dˈɛnɡi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dengue
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a serious illness that causes a very high fever, pain in the joints, and sometimes bleeding. It is spread by mosquitoes that bite people who are already sick.

For teachers: a severe, flu-like illness caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. Characterised by high fever, headache, and joint pain, with a risk of progressing to a more severe form involving internal bleeding.

## Examples

- The doctor confirmed that the patient had dengue.
- Health officials warned residents to remove standing water from their yards to prevent the spread of dengue.
- While many people recover from dengue with rest and fluids, the virus can cause life-threatening complications if it progresses to a hemorrhagic form, particularly in those with weakened immune systems.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.