urticaria

noun

ur·​ti·​car·​ia ˌər-tə-ˈker-ē-ə 

: hives

urticarial

ˌər-tə-ˈker-ē-əl 

adjective

Did you know?

Hives can be caused by a number of things. It can be a reaction to the piece of food you ate, the new medication you took, or irritants in the air you breathe, among other causes. Urticaria was named in the 18th century for its resemblance to the rash caused by nettle, a plant of the genus Urtica. That genus name reflects the Latin word for "nettle" and is also related to the Latin verb urere, meaning "to burn." (It's easy to see the connection here if you know that many species of nettle have stinging hairs that irritate the skin.)

Examples of urticaria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The company is continuing to test the drug in a number of other indications, with data expected in September or October from Phase 3 trials in chronic spontaneous urticaria, which causes chronic hives. — Daniel Payne, STAT, 22 July 2026

These can be helpful for people who have sun allergies because of solar urticaria or polymorphus light eruption. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 July 2026

Earlier this week, the court heard that Ghost suffered cold urticaria after a swim on Bondi Beach, a condition that effectively renders people allergic to cold water. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026

If no underlying cause is found, the patient may have chronic spontaneous urticaria. — Zia Sherrell, Health, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin urtica nettle

First Known Use

circa 1771, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for urticaria

• acharya
• calcarea
• cercaria
• filaria
• fragaria
• setaria
• wistaria
• alternaria
• armillaria
• crotalaria
• radiolaria
• sharia

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Medical Definition

urticaria

noun

ur·​ti·​car·​ia ˌərt-ə-ˈkar-ē-ə, -ˈker- 

: hives

urticarial

-ē-əl 

adjective