chickenpox: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Formal in medical contexts; Informal in metaphorical usage.
Quick answer
What does “chickenpox” mean?
A common, highly contagious viral infection, primarily affecting children, characterized by an itchy, blister-like rash that eventually scabs over.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common, highly contagious viral infection, primarily affecting children, characterized by an itchy, blister-like rash that eventually scabs over.
Informally, any mild or trivial inconvenience or annoyance, though this usage is not medically accurate. Medically, it refers to the acute illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which confers lifelong immunity but whose latent virus can reactivate later in life as shingles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK English often uses 'chickenpox' as one word, same as US. The variant 'chicken pox' (two words) is also accepted in both but less common in modern medical writing. No significant usage difference.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Associated with childhood, contagion, and routine vaccination schedules.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, though incidence has decreased significantly in countries with routine childhood vaccination.
Grammar
How to Use “chickenpox” in a Sentence
[Person] HAS chickenpox.[Person] CAUGHT chickenpox FROM [source].[Person] WAS EXPOSED TO chickenpox.The vaccine PROTECTS AGAINST chickenpox.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chickenpox” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Her children have all chickenpoxed, so she's stuck at home.
- The nursery chickenpoxed half the toddlers last winter.
American English
- The virus chickenpoxed the entire first-grade class.
- He's home chickenpoxing and watching cartoons.
adjective
British English
- The chickenpox rash is very distinctive.
- She had a nasty chickenpox scar on her forehead.
- Chickenpox parties were once a controversial practice.
American English
- Keep him home until he's no longer chickenpox contagious.
- They reviewed the school's chickenpox policy.
- She showed classic chickenpox symptoms.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in workplace health policies regarding sick leave for parents of infected children.
Academic
Common topic in medical, epidemiological, and public health studies.
Everyday
Used in conversations among parents, in schools, and with healthcare providers.
Technical
Specific virology, immunology, and clinical management contexts; precise term is 'varicella'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chickenpox”
- Using as a countable noun ('He has a chickenpox').
- Confusing with 'smallpox' (a much more severe, eradicated disease).
- Misspelling as 'chicken pocks'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but they are caused by the same virus. Chickenpox is the initial infection. The virus remains dormant in the body and can reactivate years later, causing shingles (herpes zoster).
It is extremely rare. One episode usually provides lifelong immunity. However, the virus can reactivate as shingles.
The origin is uncertain. It may be from the Old English 'cicen' (child), implying a mild children's disease, or to distinguish its mildness from the 'great pox' (syphilis).
Treatment is usually supportive: rest, fluids, and calamine lotion or antihistamines for itching. Antiviral medication may be prescribed for high-risk individuals. Never give aspirin to a child with chickenpox due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
A common, highly contagious viral infection, primarily affecting children, characterized by an itchy, blister-like rash that eventually scabs over.
Chickenpox is usually neutral to formal in medical contexts; informal in metaphorical usage. in register.
Chickenpox: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪk.ɪn.pɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪk.ɪn.pɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As common as chickenpox (once was).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CHICKEN being a mild farm animal, and POX as spots. A mild disease with spots.
Conceptual Metaphor
ILLNESS IS AN INVADER / INFECTION IS A FIRE (spreading through a community).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary public health measure to control chickenpox?