# fester

/ˈfɛstɝ/ (US) · /fˈɛstɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fester
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a wound becoming infected

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to become infected and produce pus, usually because a wound is not cleaned.

For teachers: to undergo suppuration or become septic; specifically used for wounds that are neglected.

- If you don't clean that cut, it will start to fester and become very painful.
- Without proper antibiotic treatment, the minor abrasion began to fester, eventually requiring surgical intervention to clear the infection.

Usage: Intransitive; the subject is typically a wound, sore, or injury.

### 3. an infected sore

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an infected place on the skin that is red and painful.

For teachers: an ulcer or a sore that is in a state of suppuration.

- The old bandages were stuck to a painful fester on his leg.
- The physician noted a deep fester on the patient's arm, suggesting the infection had been present for several days.

Teaching tip: The noun form is rare in modern English; learners will almost always encounter this word as a verb.

## Examples

- The wound began to fester after he stopped cleaning it.
- If left unaddressed, the small disagreement between the neighbors will only fester and turn into a full-blown feud.
- The neglected garden was a perfect environment for the old cuts to fester, eventually leading to a systemic infection that required immediate medical intervention.

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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.