lupus

noun

lu·​pus ˈlü-pəs 

1

: any of several diseases characterized by skin lesions

especially : systemic lupus erythematosus sense 2

2

Lupus astronomy : a southern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Scorpius and Centaurus and that is represented by the figure of a wolf

Above Lupus lies Scorpius, one of the few constellations whose star pattern actually suggests the object that it is named for. In the myths, the scorpion was assigned by Artemis, the hunting goddess, to kill Orion, far across the sky.

—Don Moser

Examples of lupus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The steroids helped Reid’s lupus. —Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026

Since then, the singer and actor—who also suffers from lupus and previously underwent a kidney transplant— has publicly spoken several times about her condition, including in the 2022 documentary My Mind & Me. —Roberta Mercuri, Vanity Fair, 5 Mar. 2026

Disease-specific foundations such as those for lupus or irritable bowel syndrome can also steer patients to free or low-cost resources or cover some costs of care, Donovan said. —Renuka Rayasam, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026

However, their plans were pushed back when Broadus — who was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 6 — suffered a stroke in January 2024. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, wolf

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lupus

• lupus erythematosus
• systemic lupus erythematosus

Rhymes for lupus

• croupous

Medical Definition

lupus

noun

lu·​pus ˈlü-pəs 

: any of several diseases (as lupus vulgaris or systemic lupus erythematosus) characterized by skin lesions