What does "plague" mean?
The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis.
Plague
/pleɪɡ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis.
- Grammar: plague is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: infestation, pestilence, abomination, afflict.
- Useful contrasts: aid, assuage, benediction.
- Usage evidence: More often than not, famine is accompanied by plague.
How to use "plague"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "plague" 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 "plague" 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 "plague" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "plague" 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 "plague" 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 "infestation" 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.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "plague", 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 The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis. capitalized, countable, often, sometimes, uncountable
"It was about the beginning of September, 1664, that I, among the rest of my neighbours, heard in ordinary discourse that the plague was returned again in Holland[…] It mattered not from whence it came; but all agreed it was come into Holland again."
- 2 an annoyance wordnet
- 3 An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but specifically by the above disease. countable, uncountable
"Great plagues, such as the bubonic plague or smallpox or syphilis or influenza, can happen again."
- 4 any large scale calamity (especially when thought to be sent by God) wordnet
- 5 A widespread affliction, calamity, or destructive influx, especially when seen as divine retribution. countable, uncountable
"Ten Biblical plagues over Egypt, ranging from locusts to the death of the crown prince, finally forced Pharaoh to let Moses's people go."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 a swarm of insects that attack plants wordnet
- 7 A grave nuisance, whatever greatly irritates. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"Bart is an utter plague; his pranks never cease."
- 8 any epidemic disease with a high death rate wordnet
- 9 A group of common grackles. countable, uncountable
- 10 a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal wordnet
Verb
- 1 To harass, pester or annoy someone persistently or incessantly. transitive
""Moreover," replied Congreve, "it was a sort of flattery to the duke. It showed that she valued the power of plaguing him more than her own fairest ornament. Flattery is the real secret by which a woman keeps her lover.""
- 2 annoy continually or chronically wordnet
- 3 To afflict with a disease or other calamity. transitive
"Natural catastrophes plagued the colonists till they abandoned the pestilent marshland."
- 4 cause to suffer a blight wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"More often than not, famine is accompanied by plague."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "plague"?
Common synonyms include: infestation, pestilence, abomination, afflict, afflict, afflicted.
How do you use "plague" in a sentence?
More often than not, famine is accompanied by plague.
How do you pronounce "plague"?
Pronounced /pleɪɡ/.
Etymology
From Middle English plage, borrowed from Old French plage, from Latin plāga (“blow, wound”), from plangō (“to strike”). Cognate with Middle Dutch plāghe (> Dutch plaag), plāghen (> Dutch plagen); Middle Low German plāge; Middle High German plāge, pflāge (> German Plage); plāgen (> German plagen); Swedish plåga; French plaie, Occitan plaga. Doublet of plaga. Displaced native Old English wōl.