varicella

noun

var·​i·​cel·​la ˌver-ə-ˈse-lə 

ˌva-rə-

: chickenpox

Examples of varicella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Under the executive order, vaccines for diseases including measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, pertussis, HPV and varicella remain among those recommended for all children. — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

In addition to votes on the hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccines, the ACIP voted to no longer recommend the MMRV vaccine, a combination vaccine that targets measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) for children younger than 4. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Most children instead receive a measles, mumps, and rubella shot (MMR) and a separate vaccine against varicella (chickenpox). — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

The varicella-zoster virus causes both chickenpox and shingles. — Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 28 June 2026

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