ENGLISH
REFERENCE

HIV

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈeɪˈtʃaɪˈvi// hiv

n. Stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. A virus that attacks the body's immune system, making it harder to fight off infections and diseases.

n. Abbreviation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. A retrovirus that causes the gradual failure of the immune system by destroying CD4+ T cells; if left untreated, may progress to AIDS.


SIMPLE

Modern medicine helps people live long lives with HIV.

CONTEXTUAL

Regular testing for HIV is a vital part of public health strategies to prevent the spread of the virus.

COMPLEX

The development of antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV from a terminal diagnosis into a manageable chronic condition for those with access to consistent healthcare.

Usage

Usually functions as an uncountable noun; often used as a modifier before other nouns like 'test', 'status', or 'prevention'.

Pitfall

the HIV virusHIVThe 'V' in HIV already stands for 'virus', so saying 'HIV virus' is redundant.

© 2026 English Reference