dengue

noun

den·​gue ˈdeŋ-gē 

-ˌgā

: an acute infectious disease caused by a flavivirus (species Dengue virus of the genus Flavivirus), transmitted by aedes mosquitoes, and characterized by headache, severe joint pain, and a rash

called also breakbone fever, dengue fever

Examples of dengue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to chikungunya, harmful diseases commonly carried by mosquitoes include dengue fever, Zika and yellow fever. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Over 3 million children under five are at imminent risk of deadly disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, and dengue, due to a failing health system. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

Remarkably, this bacteria and the virus that causes dengue are unable to coexist inside the mosquito that transmits this disease. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 26 July 2025

In March, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network notice stating that dengue activity remains high in some parts of the United States and globally. —Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 19 July 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 characterized by headache, severe joint pain, and a rash and that is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus (species Dengue virus) transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes

called also breakbone fever, dandy fever, dengue fever