varicella

noun

var·​i·​cel·​la ˌver-ə-ˈse-lə 

ˌva-rə-

: chickenpox

Examples of varicella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists suspect that the shingles vaccination may help by preventing the reactivation of dormant viruses like varicella zoster and herpes simplex, which are thought to contribute to brain inflammation and the accumulation of dangerous proteins linked to dementia. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025

Both groups released these statements earlier in the fall, before ACIP announced changes to recommendations for the Covid-19 vaccine and the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. —Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, varicella zoster. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Dec. 2025

The latent varicella zoster virus lies dormant in the body after a person has chicken pox. —Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from vari- (in variola variola) + Medieval Latin -cella, diminutive suffix (extracted from nouns such as nāvicella, diminutive of Latin nāvicula "boat," diminutive of nāvis "ship")

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for varicella

• arabella
• bartonella
• bordetella
• cinderella
• citronella
• columella
• isabella
• klebsiella
• legionella
• mozzarella
• pasteurella
• salmonella

Medical Definition

varicella

noun

var·​i·​cel·​la ˌvar-ə-ˈsel-ə 

: chickenpox