flu

noun

ˈflü 

1

: influenza

2

: any of several virus diseases marked especially by respiratory or intestinal symptoms

flu-like

ˈflü-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of flu in a Sentence

He came down with a bad bout of the flu.

Recent Examples on the Web

People generally associate zoonotic diseases with rural settings, farms or the wilderness, said Florian Krammer, a flu expert at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York who led the study, which was published online last week. —Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024

From March 17 to March 23, flu numbers were up by 5.3% compared to the previous week — which showed numbers were up by 5%. —Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 7 Apr. 2024

Before the program was implemented, fewer than 41% of the medical center’s patients had received the flu vaccine, and only 33% had finished their COVID-19 vaccine series. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024

One of these is clinically proven to prevent flu infections and lessen the severity of illness. —Katie Suleta, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2024

Having lost World War I, endured a flu pandemic and overcome a revolution by radical left workers and soldiers, Germany was struggling to make its reparation payments. —Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024

Interview highlights Ari Shapiro: The CDC says the risk to humans from the H5N1 flu that is driving this outbreak is low. —Patrick Jarenwattananon, NPR, 3 Apr. 2024

For example, businesses have brought flu clinics to the work site for many years. —Rhett Buttle, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

The avian flu currently circulating around the globe is one example. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

by shortening

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flu

• blue flu
• flu season
• bird flu
• Asian flu
• swine flu
• anti-flu
• yuppie flu

Kids Definition

flu

noun

ˈflü 

1

: influenza sense 1

2

: any of several virus diseases that are something like a cold

flu-like

ˈflü-ˌlīk

adjective

Medical Definition

flu

noun

ˈflü 

1

: influenza

2

: any of several chiefly viral illnesses marked especially by respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms see intestinal flu

flu-like

-ˌlīk 

adjective

also flulike

flu-like symptoms