fester

1 of 2

verb

fes·​ter ˈfe-stər 

festered; festering ˈfe-st(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to generate pus

The wound became inflamed and festered.

2

: putrefy, rot

festering carrion

3

a

: to cause increasing poisoning, irritation, or bitterness : rankle

dissent festered unchecked

His resentment festered for years.

b

: to undergo or exist in a state of progressive deterioration

allowed slums to fester

transitive verb

: to make inflamed or corrupt

fester

2 of 2

noun

: a suppurating sore : pustule

Did you know?

Both noun and verb forms of the English word fester come from the Latin noun fistula, meaning “pipe” or, less pleasantly, “fistulous ulcer.” Accordingly, the noun fester refers to a sore that forms or discharges pus, while the oldest sense of the verb fester means “to generate pus.” A boil, for example, is a festering infection of a hair follicle. Over time, the verb—as many words do—picked up a figurative sense, and fester began to be used not only for the worsening of a wound but for a worsening state, situation, etc.

Synonyms of fester

Verb

• rot
• decompose
• disintegrate
• decay

Noun

• blister
• boil
• pustule
• pimple
• pock

Examples of fester in a Sentence

Verb

His wounds festered for days before he got medical attention.

His feelings of resentment have festered for years.

We should deal with these problems now instead of allowing them to fester.

Noun

pus oozed out of the fester

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

After a week, many of them developed festering sores on their arms, legs, and hands. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Anti-Rhaenyra sentiment is festering, even within the Red Keep. — Judy Berman, Time, 10 Aug. 2026

If someone doesn’t feel comfortable doing so, the issue will only fester and complicate future efforts. — Gary Zammit, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

In response to angry, sometimes mocking, questions from Republican senators, Fauci declined to answer more than 100 times, injecting new drama into partisan divides that have festered for years about the origins and handling of the pandemic. — Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French festre, from Latin fistula pipe, fistulous ulcer

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fester

• ester
• esther
• jester
• nester
• nestor
• pester
• prester
• quaestor
• tester
• wester
• yester
• ancestor

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Kids Definition

fester

1 of 2 noun

fes·​ter ˈfes-tər 

: a pus-filled sore

fester

2 of 2 verb

festered; festering -t(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to form pus

2

: rot entry 1 sense 1a

3

: to grow or cause to grow increasingly more irritating

let her jealousy fester

Medical Definition

fester

1 of 2 noun

fes·​ter ˈfes-tər 

: a suppurating sore : pustule

fester

2 of 2 intransitive verb

festered; festering -t(ə-)riŋ 

: to generate pus