scarlet fever

noun

: an acute contagious febrile disease caused by hemolytic Group A streptococci and characterized by inflammation of the nose, throat, and mouth, generalized toxemia, and a red rash

Examples of scarlet fever in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The building assumed that role beginning in 1896, treating kids suffering from ailments such as typhoid, diphtheria, and scarlet fever. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

Shortly thereafter, Igra was hospitalized with scarlet fever. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026

The official cause of death was scarlet fever, but this seems to be a cover for suicide. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025

Some infections, like impetigo, strep throat and scarlet fever, are treatable with antibiotics. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1651, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scarlet fever

• unbeliever
• achiever
• believer
• deceiver
• perceiver
• receiver
• reliever
• retriever
• transceiver
• cleaver
• leaver
• weaver

Kids Definition

scarlet fever

noun

: a contagious disease caused by a bacterium and characterized by fever, swelling, pain in the nose, throat, and mouth, and a red rash

Medical Definition

scarlet fever

noun

scar·​let fever ˈskär-lət- 

: an acute contagious febrile disease caused by Group A bacteria of the genus Streptococcus (especially various strains of S. pyogenes) and characterized by inflammation of the nose, throat, and mouth, generalized toxemia, and a red rash

called also scarlatina