pink eye

noun

ˈpiŋk-ˌī 

variants or pinkeye

: conjunctivitis

especially : contagious conjunctivitis typically caused by a virus or bacterium

Examples of pink eye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This includes patients with symptoms including rash, fever, cough and conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Measles symptoms include several days of fever, rash, pink eye, runny nose and cough. — Katie Wiseman, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2026

Keith, who is eight, appeared to have a bad case of pink eye. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

In preparation for a separate section of the photo shoot, the Only Murders in the Building star swapped her pink eye makeup for a shimmering, leafy-green eyeshadow that seemed to trickle past her eyes and up along her brow bone. — Staff Author, InStyle, 6 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pink eye

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

pinkeye

noun

pink·​eye ˈpiŋ-ˌkī 

: a contagious disease in which the inner surface of the eyelid and part of the eyeball become pinkish and sore

Medical Definition

pink eye

noun

variants or pinkeye

ˈpiŋ-ˌkī 

: conjunctivitis

especially : contagious conjunctivitis typically caused by a virus or bacterium