mumps: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowMedical, formal, but also common in everyday health discussions.
Quick answer
What does “mumps” mean?
An infectious viral disease characterized by painful swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An infectious viral disease characterized by painful swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands.
Primarily refers to the disease; occasionally used in historical or public health contexts to discuss outbreaks or vaccination programs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Both associate it with childhood disease and vaccination.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties due to standard medical terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “mumps” in a Sentence
suffer from mumpsbe diagnosed with mumpsvaccinate against mumpsVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in contexts like workplace health policies or insurance.
Academic
Common in medical, public health, and epidemiological research.
Everyday
Used when discussing health, childhood illnesses, or vaccination.
Technical
Standard term in medicine and virology for the specific disease caused by the mumps virus.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mumps”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mumps”
- Using 'mumps' as a plural noun, e.g., 'Mumps are contagious' instead of 'Mumps is contagious'.
- Confusing mumps with other diseases like measles or chickenpox.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, mumps is highly contagious and spreads through saliva or respiratory droplets.
Yes, while more common in children, adults can contract mumps, and it may be more severe.
Yes, the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is effective in preventing mumps.
Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection and last about 7-10 days.
An infectious viral disease characterized by painful swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands.
Mumps is usually medical, formal, but also common in everyday health discussions. in register.
Mumps: in British English it is pronounced /mʌmps/, and in American English it is pronounced /mʌmps/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 'mumps' by thinking of 'lumps' on your cheeks – mumps causes lumps.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualized as an invader or burden, e.g., 'mumps struck the community.'
Practice
Quiz
What is mumps primarily characterized by?