urticaria

noun

ur·​ti·​car·​ia ˌər-tə-ˈker-ē-ə How to pronounce urticaria (audio)
: hives
urticarial adjective

Did you know?

Hives can be caused by a number of things. It can be a reaction to the piece of food you ate, the new medication you took, or irritants in the air you breathe, among other causes. Urticaria was named in the 18th century for its resemblance to the rash caused by nettle, a plant of the genus Urtica. That genus name reflects the Latin word for "nettle" and is also related to the Latin verb urere, meaning "to burn." (It's easy to see the connection here if you know that many species of nettle have stinging hairs that irritate the skin.)

Examples of urticaria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My primary care doctor had sent me to an allergy specialist, who was able to give me the correct diagnosis of chronic spontaneous urticaria, or CSU. Megan Pregmon, Flow Space, 23 July 2025 Also, prolonged use of ice on your face could lead to frostbite or cold urticaria (hives or swelling in response to cold). Sherri Gordon, Health, 22 July 2025 Redness, swelling and intensely itchy wheals – those are the hallmark symptoms of urticaria, commonly known as hives. New Atlas, 17 July 2025 Finally, after more than a month of agony, her allergist diagnosed her with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) — an incurable condition marked by hives that last six weeks or longer, with no definitive cause or trigger. Diane Herbst, People.com, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for urticaria

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin urtica nettle

First Known Use

circa 1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of urticaria was circa 1771

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Cite this Entry

“Urticaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urticaria. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

urticaria

noun
ur·​ti·​car·​ia ˌərt-ə-ˈkar-ē-ə, -ˈker- How to pronounce urticaria (audio)
: hives
urticarial adjective

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