Definition

1. Noun:
   • An acute and highly contagious viral disease characterized by distinct red spots followed by a rash; it occurs primarily in children.

Usage

• Measles is typically used as a singular noun, even though it ends in "-s". It refers to the specific viral illness.
• It is often preceded by the definite article "the" (e.g., ), though it can also be used without it.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The child was vaccinated against measles.
  • An outbreak of measles has been reported in the region.
  • She caught the measles from her classmate.

Advanced Usage

• "To have (the) measles": To be infected with the disease.
  • He stayed home because he had the measles.
• "A case of measles": An instance of the disease.
  • The school confirmed a case of measles.

Variants and Related Words

• Rubeola: The medical term for standard measles.
• German measles: A common name for rubella, a different viral disease that is milder than standard measles.
• Measly (adj): Informal, meaning paltry or contemptibly small. (Note: This is a distinct, informal meaning derived from the idea of something being as insignificant as the spots of measles).

Synonyms

• Rubeola: (Medical synonym)
• There are no perfect common-language synonyms; it is the specific name of the disease.

Related Phrases

• Measles vaccine: The vaccine that prevents the disease.
  • All children should receive the measles vaccine.
• Measles rash: The characteristic skin eruption caused by the disease.
  • The measles rash usually starts on the face.

Idioms

• There are no common idioms that use the word measles in its literal sense. The informal adjective measly is used in idioms like "a measly amount" or "a measly salary."

Noun

1. an acute and highly contagious viral disease marked by distinct red spots followed by a rash; occurs primarily in children