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Definition of chickenpox

chickenpox

/ˈtʃɪk.ənˌpɑːks/
chick · en · pox
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chickenpox Lexical Profile

chickenpox Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, characterized by an itchy, blister-like rash on the skin.

Example

"Because she had not been vaccinated, the young girl contracted chickenpox from a classmate and had to stay home from school for a week."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for chickenpox

Word Nuance & Usage

Often confused with smallpox due to its historical naming convention, chickenpox is caused by a completely different virus (varicella-zoster) and is generally much milder.

• Nearby Words

chickadee
chicken
chicken soup
chickenpox
chickpea
chickweed
chiclayo

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 17th century. The prefix 'chicken' was likely used to denote a 'mild' or 'weak' version of a disease, distinguishing it from the far more deadly smallpox. 'Pox' is an alteration of 'pocks' (plural of pock, meaning blister).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Chickenpox. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 19, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/chickenpox
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