fever

1 of 2

noun

fe·​ver ˈfē-vər How to pronounce fever (audio)
Synonyms of fevernext
1
a
: a rise of body temperature above the normal
b
: any of various diseases of which fever is a prominent symptom
2
a
: a state of heightened or intense emotion or activity
b
: a contagious usually transient enthusiasm : craze

fever

2 of 2

verb

fevered; fevering ˈfe-vər-iŋ How to pronounce fever (audio)
ˈfē-vriŋ

transitive verb

: to throw into a fever : agitate

intransitive verb

: to contract or be in a fever : become feverish

Synonyms of fever

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Noun

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Examples of fever in a Sentence

Noun The symptoms of the disease include headache and fever. We waited in a fever of anticipation. He had us all in a fever with worry.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Then anaplasmosis joined the fray, spreading fevers and chills of its own. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 The knockout rounds of a World Cup were supposed to be a fever dream. — David Hickey, NBC news, 29 June 2026 Symptoms usually begin within one to two weeks of exposure to an infected person and include mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and sore throat. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026 Coach Javier Aguirre’s third stint has sparked World Cup fever, with Mexico City streets and even pets decked in Mexico gear. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fever

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English fēfer, from Latin febris

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of fever was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing fever

Rhymes for fever

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Browse Nearby Words

feux d'artifice
fever
fever and ague
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fever. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fever

noun
fe·​ver
ˈfē-vər
1
a
: a rise of body temperature above the normal
b
: a disease of which fever is an important symptom
2
: a state of excited emotion or activity

Medical Definition

fever

1 of 2 noun
fe·​ver ˈfē-vər How to pronounce fever (audio)
1
: a rise of body temperature above the normal whether a natural response (as to infection) or artificially induced for therapeutic reasons
2
: an abnormal bodily state characterized by increased production of heat, accelerated heart action and pulse, and systemic debility with weakness, loss of appetite, and thirst
3
: any of various diseases of which fever is a prominent symptom

fever

2 of 2 verb
fevered; fevering ˈfēv-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce fever (audio)

transitive verb

: to affect with fever
the malarial plasmodia fevered him

intransitive verb

: to contract or be in a fever : be or become feverish
the malaria victim fevered intermittently

More from Merriam-Webster on fever

Nglish: Translation of fever for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fever

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