flu

noun

ˈflü 

1

: influenza

2

: any of several virus diseases marked especially by respiratory or intestinal symptoms

flu-like

ˈflü-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of flu in a Sentence

He came down with a bad bout of the flu.

Recent Examples on the Web

The long history of bird flu Bird flu is thought to have been around for hundreds of years. —Karen Kucher, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have worked with health ministries in 90 countries on developing systems to track outbreaks, from HIV to the H5N1 avian flu. —Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025

The fall is a good time to practice hand hygiene, stock up on cold remedies and cleaning supplies, and consider getting a flu shot. —Elizabeth Medeiros, Health, 22 Mar. 2025

Bird flu has drastically altered the business of the farm. —Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

by shortening

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flu

• anti-flu
• Asian flu
• bird flu
• blue flu
• flu season
• swine flu
• yuppie flu

Rhymes for flu

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

flu

noun

ˈflü 

1

: influenza sense 1

2

: any of several virus diseases that are something like a cold

flu-like

ˈflü-ˌlīk

adjective

Medical Definition

flu

noun

ˈflü 

1

: influenza

2

: any of several chiefly viral illnesses marked especially by respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms see intestinal flu

flu-like

-ˌlīk 

adjective

also flulike

flu-like symptoms