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Definition of influenza

influenza

/ˌɪnfluˈɛnzə/
in · flu · en · za
Plural:influenzas
•
Adjective:influenzal
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influenza Lexical Profile

influenza Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract characterized by sudden fever, severe muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and catarrh, often occurring in seasonal epidemics.

Example

"Public health officials recommend an annual vaccine to protect vulnerable populations against seasonal influenza."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for influenza

• Rhymes for influenza

• Nearby Words

influencer
influential
influentially
influenza
influx
info
infographic

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-18th century from Italian influenza (literally 'influence'), from Medieval Latin influentia; so named because Italian physicians originally attributed seasonal epidemics to the astrological influence of the stars or cold air.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Influenza. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/influenza
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