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

Those in the South have been witnessing a rising number of cases of dengue fever. —Gary W. Yohe, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025

This focus on strengthening capacity for rapid clinical response works and has helped avert over 7,000 dengue deaths in the region since 2011. —Jarbas Barbosa, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025

However, some species, including Aedes aegypti, can carry and transmit diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, West Nile virus, yellow fever and Zika virus. —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

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