shingles: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Medical/Technical (for the disease); Construction/General (for roofing material)
Quick answer
What does “shingles” mean?
A painful viral infection causing a rash of blisters, typically on one side of the torso or face.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A painful viral infection causing a rash of blisters, typically on one side of the torso or face.
Also refers to thin, overlapping pieces of wood, slate, or other material used for covering roofs or walls.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The medical condition is also known as 'herpes zoster' in both varieties.
Connotations
The medical term carries strong connotations of pain and discomfort in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common for both meanings in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “shingles” in a Sentence
[Patient] has/developed shingles.[Agent] installed/replaced the shingles.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shingles” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The roofer will shingle the roof next week.
- They decided to shingle the garden shed themselves.
American English
- We need to shingle the garage before winter.
- The contractor shingled the entire house in two days.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- They chose a shingle-style beach hut.
- The shingle roof was traditional for the area.
American English
- It was a shingle-roofed cottage.
- They admired the shingle architecture of the homes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In construction or roofing supply businesses.
Academic
In medical or dermatology papers.
Everyday
Discussing health or home maintenance.
Technical
In construction specifications or clinical diagnoses.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shingles”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shingles”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shingles”
- Using a singular verb with the medical term (e.g., 'Shingles are painful' is incorrect; 'Shingles is painful' is correct).
- Confusing the countable roofing term with the uncountable medical term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the virus that causes shingles can be spread to someone who has not had chickenpox, causing them to develop chickenpox, not shingles.
Yes, although most people only have one episode, it is possible to have shingles more than once.
Common materials include asphalt, wood (cedar), slate, metal, and composite materials.
They are caused by the same virus (varicella-zoster). After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body and can reactivate years later as shingles.
A painful viral infection causing a rash of blisters, typically on one side of the torso or face.
Shingles is usually medical/technical (for the disease); construction/general (for roofing material) in register.
Shingles: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪŋɡ(ə)lz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪŋɡəlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SHINGLES on the skin feel like sharp SHINGLES (roof tiles) scraping against you.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS AN ATTACKER (The shingles virus attacks the nerves).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'shingles' correctly?