dengue

noun

den·​gue ˈdeŋ-gē 

-ˌgā

: an acute infectious disease caused by a flavivirus (serotypes of Orthoflavivirus denguei), transmitted by aedes mosquitoes, and typically characterized by headache, severe joint pain, and a rash but may progress into a more serious illness marked by hemorrhagic symptoms

called also breakbone fever, dengue fever

Examples of dengue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, some species, including Aedes aegypti, can carry and transmit diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, West Nile virus, yellow fever and Zika virus. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025

The species has been linked to local transmission of the dengue virus in California, according to the California Department of Health. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025

Tens of thousands of people have fallen ill with dengue, cholera, and other diseases after recent rains, compounding a series of crises in the country. —semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025

Over the past few weeks, the U.S. has experienced a surge in virus outbreaks, including chikungunya, Legionnaires' disease and dengue fever, which have all sickened hundreds of people and can adversely affect the body in severe cases. —Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

dengue

noun

den·​gue ˈdeŋ-gē  -ˌgā 

: an acute infectious disease that is caused by a flavivirus (serotypes of Orthoflavivirus denguei) transmitted by mosquitos of the genus Aedes and that is typically characterized by headache, severe joint pain, and a rash but may progress to the more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever

called also breakbone fever, dandy fever, dengue fever