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

Three Florida counties have declared states of emergency as a growing outbreak of dengue has infected hundreds across the state this year. — Alex Deluca, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

In severe dengue, tiny blood vessels throughout the body start leaking fluid, blood pressure can crash and dangerous bleeding or organ damage can follow. — Andrés Henao, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Florida, in particular, is facing one of its worst dengue surges in decades. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Sep. 2026

People who have had dengue before are much more likely to develop severe symptoms. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

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