# scourge

/ˈskɝdʒ/ (US) · /skˈɜːdʒ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scourge
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

something that causes a lot of trouble, pain, or suffering to many people. You often hear it used to describe things like war, disease, or poverty.

For teachers: a person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering. Often used metaphorically to describe widespread social or biological afflictions.

## Examples

- Vaccines helped the world get rid of the scourge of smallpox.
- The government is struggling to find a long-term solution to the scourge of drug addiction in the city.
- Historians often describe the Black Death as a devastating scourge that fundamentally altered the economic and social structures of medieval Europe.

## Usage notes

- Frequently appears in the phrase 'the scourge of', followed by a noun representing a social ill or 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.