flu definition - Dictionary

MSN homeMailMy MSN

encartagreeting cards

encarta®

Dictionary

Thesaurus

Translations

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

flu

flu [ floo ] (plural flus)

noun

Definition:

widespread viral illness: a viral illness producing a high temperature, sore throat, running nose, headache, dry cough, and muscle pain. The illness is widespread, especially during winter months, and can sometimes be fatal.
Technical name influenza

[Mid-19th century. Shortening of influenza]

flu·like adjective

Spelling Note


	flu, flue, or flew? Do not confuse the spelling of flu, flue, and flew, which sound similar. The nouns flu and flue are probably the most likely to be confused: Flu is an illness, whereas a flue is a smoke or heat outlet or a type of organ pipe. Flew is the past tense of the verb fly: Time flew past.