scarlet fever

noun

: an acute contagious febrile disease caused by hemolytic Group A streptococci and characterized by inflammation of the nose, throat, and mouth, generalized toxemia, and a red rash

Examples of scarlet fever in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Willie Fay Lewis, Ann Allan’s mother, founded the Lighthouse for the Blind in 1935 after losing her eyesight as a young girl due to scarlet fever. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

In 1858, Louisa May Alcott’s younger sister, Elizabeth, died from complications of scarlet fever, just as the fictional Beth would in the novel, published a decade later. — Sarah Chihaya, Vulture, 16 July 2026

But nothing competes with the painful deterioration of her sight after contracting scarlet fever. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

After it, among other things, there was scarlet fever and severe anemia, which is to say illness has been an ever-present houseguest. — Literary Hub, 15 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1651, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scarlet fever

• unbeliever
• achiever
• believer
• deceiver
• perceiver
• receiver
• reliever
• retriever
• transceiver
• cleaver
• leaver
• weaver

Kids Definition

scarlet fever

noun

: a contagious disease caused by a bacterium and characterized by fever, swelling, pain in the nose, throat, and mouth, and a red rash

Medical Definition

scarlet fever

noun

scar·​let fever ˈskär-lət- 

: an acute contagious febrile disease caused by Group A bacteria of the genus Streptococcus (especially various strains of S. pyogenes) and characterized by inflammation of the nose, throat, and mouth, generalized toxemia, and a red rash

called also scarlatina