fester

1 of 2

verb

fes·​ter ˈfe-stər 

festered; festering ˈfe-st(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to generate pus

The wound became inflamed and festered.

2

: putrefy, rot

festering carrion

3

a

: to cause increasing poisoning, irritation, or bitterness : rankle

dissent festered unchecked

His resentment festered for years.

b

: to undergo or exist in a state of progressive deterioration

allowed slums to fester

transitive verb

: to make inflamed or corrupt

fester

2 of 2

noun

: a suppurating sore : pustule

Did you know?

Fester comes from Latin fistula, meaning "pipe" or "fistulous ulcer." Fistula, in English, refers to an abnormal passage leading from an abscess or hollow organ and permitting passage of fluids or secretions. The word's use as a verb meaning "to generate pus" influenced its use as a word implying a worsening state.

Synonyms

Verb

• break down
• corrupt
• decay
• decompose
• disintegrate
• foul
• mold
• molder
• perish [chiefly British]
• putrefy
• rot
• spoil

Noun

• boil
• hickey
• papule
• pimple
• pock
• pustule
• whelk
• zit [slang]

Examples of fester in a Sentence

Verb

His wounds festered for days before he got medical attention.

His feelings of resentment have festered for years.

We should deal with these problems now instead of allowing them to fester.

Noun

pus oozed out of the fester

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Anything that’s left alone will fester and eat itself and then devour other things. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025

And pressure is still festering within her own party, even from her home state. —David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025

Noun

The state’s neglect of the security services has also allowed corruption and confusion to fester in the army and police. —Jason K. Stearns, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025

The issue continues to be in a stalemate and festers uncomfortably in the backdrop. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French festre, from Latin fistula pipe, fistulous ulcer

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fester

• ester
• esther
• jester
• nester
• nestor
• pester
• prester
• quaestor
• tester
• wester
• yester
• ancestor

Kids Definition

fester

1 of 2 noun

fes·​ter ˈfes-tər 

: a pus-filled sore

fester

2 of 2 verb

festered; festering -t(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to form pus

2

: rot entry 1 sense 1a

3

: to grow or cause to grow increasingly more irritating

let her jealousy fester

Medical Definition

fester

1 of 2 noun

fes·​ter ˈfes-tər 

: a suppurating sore : pustule

fester

2 of 2 intransitive verb

festered; festering -t(ə-)riŋ 

: to generate pus