# Lyme

/ˈɫaɪm/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lyme
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a serious illness you get from the bite of a tiny insect called a tick. It often causes a red rash that looks like a target and makes you feel very tired or sore.

For teachers: an inflammatory disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Often presents with a characteristic bullseye rash and systemic symptoms.

## Examples

- He spent weeks recovering from Lyme after a hiking trip.
- Doctors recommend wearing long trousers in tall grass to prevent the tick bites that spread Lyme.
- Early diagnosis of Lyme is critical, as the infection can progress from localized skin irritation to more severe neurological and cardiac complications if left untreated by antibiotics.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I have the Lyme" but "I have Lyme" — Names of specific diseases like Lyme do not typically take the definite article.

## Usage notes

- Usually refers to the disease itself; often used as a modifier in the phrase 'Lyme disease'.

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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.