monkeypox: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (spikes during outbreaks)Medical, Public Health, News/Media
Quick answer
What does “monkeypox” mean?
A rare viral disease, similar to but milder than smallpox, characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash of pustules.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rare viral disease, similar to but milder than smallpox, characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash of pustules.
In contemporary discourse, it refers to the specific orthopoxvirus (MPXV) causing outbreaks in humans, often associated with zoonotic transmission and public health measures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling is consistent. UK sources may historically use 'monkey pox' (two words) more often, but the closed compound is now standard in both.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. It is a factual, clinical term in medical contexts. In popular media, can carry connotations of public health concern or fear, especially post-COVID-19.
Frequency
Usage spiked identically in both regions during the 2022 outbreak. No notable frequency difference.
Grammar
How to Use “monkeypox” in a Sentence
[to] contract monkeypox[to] be diagnosed with monkeypoxan outbreak of monkeypoxvaccination against monkeypoxVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monkeypox” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The monkeypox outbreak prompted a swift public health response.
- He was admitted to a specialist monkeypox ward.
American English
- The monkeypox outbreak triggered a swift public health response.
- She was treated in a designated monkeypox unit.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Potential disruption due to health measures; 'Business continuity plans were updated to account for a monkeypox outbreak.'
Academic
Virology, epidemiology, public health research; 'The study mapped the phylogenetic lineage of the monkeypox virus.'
Everyday
Discussion of health news, symptoms, or vaccination; 'Have you read about the new monkeypox cases?'
Technical
Detailed medical/scientific description; 'Monkeypox presents with a prodrome of fever, malaise, and lymphadenopathy prior to the vesiculopustular rash.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monkeypox”
- Miswriting as two words: 'monkey pox' (less common now).
- Confusing it with chickenpox due to the '-pox' suffix.
- Using 'a monkeypox' as a countable noun for a single case; it's usually uncountable (e.g., 'a case of monkeypox').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Despite the similar '-pox' name, they are caused by completely different viruses. Monkeypox is an orthopoxvirus, related to smallpox, while chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
Most cases are mild and self-limiting, but severe cases can occur, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, young children, or those with certain complications. The case fatality rate varies by virus strain but is generally much lower than historical smallpox.
Primarily through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. It can also be spread via respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact, and by touching contaminated materials (like bedding or clothing).
The virus was first identified in 1958 in laboratory monkeys, hence the name. However, the natural reservoir host is believed to be rodents or other small mammals, not monkeys.
A rare viral disease, similar to but milder than smallpox, characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash of pustules.
Monkeypox is usually medical, public health, news/media in register.
Monkeypox: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋ.kiˌpɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋ.kiˌpɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'pox' in 'chickenpox' but transmitted from 'monkeys' (or other animals). Monkey + pox = a pox disease with a zoonotic link.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS AN INVADER / ENEMY ('fighting monkeypox', 'the spread of monkeypox').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key symptom of monkeypox?