dengue

noun

den·​gue ˈdeŋ-gē 

-ˌgā

: an acute infectious disease caused by a flavivirus (serotypes of Orthoflavivirus denguei), transmitted by aedes mosquitoes, and typically characterized by headache, severe joint pain, and a rash but may progress into a more serious illness marked by hemorrhagic symptoms

called also breakbone fever, dengue fever

Examples of dengue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year, despite record-breaking dengue cases across the region, fewer than 1 percent of people died from the disease—a significant decrease from previous outbreaks. —Jarbas Barbosa, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025

They have been known to spread dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025

Aedes aegypti -- known for its capability to transmit diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and Zika -- were detected in San Jose near Kelley Park, the County of Santa Clara Vector Control District announced on Friday. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025

Tens of thousands of people have fallen ill with dengue, cholera, and other diseases after recent rains, compounding a series of crises in the country. —semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

dengue

noun

den·​gue ˈdeŋ-gē  -ˌgā 

: an acute infectious disease that is caused by a flavivirus (serotypes of Orthoflavivirus denguei) transmitted by mosquitos of the genus Aedes and that is typically characterized by headache, severe joint pain, and a rash but may progress to the more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever

called also breakbone fever, dandy fever, dengue fever