flu

[ floo ]

noun

1. influenza.
2. a specific variety of influenza, usually named for its point of dissemination or its animal vector:

   Hong Kong flu; swine flu.

flu

/ fluː /

noun

1. the flu
   short for influenza
2. any of various viral infections, esp a respiratory or intestinal infection

flu

/ flo̅o̅ /

1. See influenza

Word History and Origins

Origin of flu¹

First recorded in 1830–40; shortened form

Example Sentences

However, particles still seep through cracks, and closing windows and doors also traps exhaled breath, increasing the risk of spreading respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 or the flu.

From Los Angeles Times

The H5N1 bird flu is now circulating in poultry, cows, and pigs.

From Slate

Pigs are considered “mixing vessels” for pathogens, and it’s possible that the last horrible pandemic—the 1918 flu—passed through pigs on the way to people.

From Slate

Didn’t he remember Michael Jordan’s flu game from the previous spring, when the Chicago Bulls superstar scored 38 points in the NBA Finals?

From Los Angeles Times

The bird flu crisis, driven by the H5N1 virus, began several years ago, but ramped up considerably in April when dairy cows started becoming infected.

From Salon

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