What does "measles" mean?
An acute and highly contagious disease which often afflicts children caused by the virus Measles morbillivirus and causing red rashes, fever, runny nose, coughing, and red eyes.
Measles
/ˈmizəlz/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An acute and highly contagious disease which often afflicts children caused by the virus Measles morbillivirus and causing red rashes, fever, runny nose, coughing, and red eyes.
- Grammar: measles is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: rubeola, acute articular rheumatism, african lethargy, ague.
- Usage evidence: Measles can be quite dangerous.
How to use "measles"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "measles" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "measles" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "measles" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "measles" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "measles" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "rubeola" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "measles", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An acute and highly contagious disease which often afflicts children caused by the virus Measles morbillivirus and causing red rashes, fever, runny nose, coughing, and red eyes. uncountable
"Maybe it's the 'measles. They say they're going around the neighborhood."
- 2 plural of measle form-of, obsolete, plural
- 3 an acute and highly contagious viral disease marked by distinct red spots followed by a rash; occurs primarily in children wordnet
- 4 Any disease causing red rashes. obsolete, uncountable
- 5 Alternative form of mesels: Leprosy. alt-of, alternative, obsolete
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 Used as an intensifier. obsolete, uncountable
"Why the meazills, should you stand heere, with your traine..."
- 7 Synonym of cysticercosis: A disease of livestock or meat caused by the presence of tapeworm larvae. uncountable
"The Swyne dyed of the Measils."
- 8 Any disease causing a tree's bark to become rough and irregular. obsolete, uncountable
"Their fruit-trees are subject to two diseases, the Meazels... and lowsiness."
- 9 plural of measle: a red spot forming part of a rash, (now) particularly those caused by M. morbillivirus. form-of, plural, uncountable
"Others take a fether, and dippe it in the saide water, and therwith they annoynte all the Measells of the Face when they are come forth."
- 10 plural of measle: any similar-looking red spot, particularly (printing) foxing. figuratively, form-of, plural, uncountable
"Measles. When prints are imperfectly fixed, the appearance presented is very similar to that of the same disease in the human subject. Hence the name."
- 11 plural of measle: the individual cysts of cysticercosis. form-of, plural, uncountable
- 12 plural of measle: the individual blisters in the surface of a diseased tree's bark. form-of, obsolete, plural, uncountable
- 13 A discreet assassination made to look like death from any natural cause. US, jargon, uncountable
"[…] they would prefer having him "die of the measles," as wags at the CIA put it, than be punished by legal means. If there is no convenient way of administering the "measles," they may even favor simply letting him go."
Verb
- 1 third-person singular simple present indicative of measle form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Measles can be quite dangerous."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "measles"?
Common synonyms include: rubeola, acute articular rheumatism, african lethargy, ague, alkali disease, amebiasis.
How do you use "measles" in a sentence?
Measles can be quite dangerous.
How do you pronounce "measles"?
Pronounced /ˈmizəlz/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Either from Middle Dutch masels (“blood blisters, measels”) or Middle Low German maselen (“red blemishes, measels”), both from Old High German masala (“blood blister, phlegmon”). Doublet of measlings. Cognate with mazer & mase and Middle Low German masele & māsel. Influenced in pronunciation and some senses by mesel (“leprous, leper”).
Etymology 2
From Middle English mesel (“leprous, leper”), from Norman mesel (“leprous, leper”), from Old French mesel (“leprous, leper”), from Late Latin misellus (“leper”), from miser (“wretched, wretch”) + -ellus (“-elle”).