flu
- 01 A2 Elementary
a common illness that gives you a fever, a headache, and makes your muscles ache.
an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. Uncountable in general usage; often takes the definite article 'the'.
Simple“I couldn't go to work because I had the flu and a high fever.”
In context“Public health officials urged vulnerable populations to receive their vaccinations before the flu season reached its peak in mid-winter.”
UsageUsually used with the definite article 'the'.
PitfallI have a flu. I have the flu.In English, we almost always use 'the' with flu when talking about being sick.
Synonymsinfluenzagrippe - 02 B1 Intermediate
an illness that makes you feel sick to your stomach, often causing vomiting.
a colloquial term for gastroenteritis or similar digestive upsets, though medically distinct from influenza.
Simple“Half the kids in the class were out last week with a stomach flu.”
In context“Although the patient described his symptoms as 'stomach flu', the physician suspected a bacterial infection from contaminated seafood.”
Teacher's tipMedical professionals prefer 'gastroenteritis' as 'flu' technically only refers to respiratory viruses.
Synonymsgastroenteritisstomach bug
Clipping of influenza.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.