fever
HighNeutral (common in both everyday and medical contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A medical condition characterized by an abnormally high body temperature, often a symptom of illness.
A state of intense excitement, agitation, or activity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core medical meaning is concrete and countable ('He has a fever'). The extended meaning is often uncountable and metaphorical ('gold fever', 'election fever').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. 'Fever' is the standard term in both. 'Temperature' is a common colloquial synonym in both varieties (e.g., 'running a temperature').
Connotations
Identical. The metaphorical use ('World Cup fever') is equally common.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in compound terms like 'fever pitch', 'cabin fever', 'hay fever'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have a feversuffer from a feverbe in a fever of [excitement]fever subsidesfever risesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at fever pitch”
- “cabin fever”
- “gold fever”
- “feed a fever, starve a cold (old adage)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Market fever gripped investors ahead of the merger announcement.
Academic
The patient presented with a persistent low-grade fever and leukocytosis.
Everyday
I think I'm coming down with a fever; my forehead feels really warm.
Technical
The cytokine release induced a febrile response, peaking at 39.5°C.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The doctor confirmed it was just a childhood fever like chickenpox.
- Fever for the new royal biography spread through the book clubs.
American English
- A high fever is a reason to call the pediatrician immediately.
- Playoff fever has taken over the entire city.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby has a fever, so we need to see the doctor.
- He stayed home because he had a fever.
- After the vaccination, she experienced a mild fever for a day.
- Fever is one of the most common symptoms of infection.
- The economic announcement sent the stock market into a fever of speculation.
- Her fever was refractory to the usual antipyretics.
- The fever of nationalism that swept the country had complex historical roots.
- The physician monitored the febrile patient for signs of septic shock.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a radiator that's too hot: FEVER feels like your body's engine is overheating.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSE ACTIVITY/EMOTION IS HEAT/ILLNESS (e.g., 'feverish activity', 'election fever').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'temperature' ('температура') as a direct substitute in all contexts. In English, 'I have a temperature' is idiomatic, but 'She has a high fever' is more precise than 'She has a high temperature'. The Russian word 'лихорадка' corresponds more closely to 'fever' in both its medical and metaphorical senses.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'fever' as an adjective (incorrect: 'He is fever'; correct: 'He has a fever' or 'He is feverish').
- Confusing 'fever' with 'flu' or 'cold' (a fever is a symptom, not the illness itself).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a primary symptom of 'hay fever'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily countable ('a fever', 'high fevers'). The metaphorical sense can be uncountable ('a time of fever and excitement').
In everyday use, they are often interchangeable ('running a fever/temperature'). Technically, 'fever' is the condition of elevated body temperature, while 'temperature' is the specific measurement.
No, 'fever' is only a noun. The verb form is 'feverish' as an adjective or the phrase 'to have a fever'. The related verb is 'to fever' is archaic.
It describes a state of extreme excitement or intensity. E.g., 'Anticipation for the concert reached fever pitch.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Health and Body
A2 · 48 words · Talking about health, illness and medical care.