What does measle mean?
In its narrow grammatical sense, measle is the singular of measles, the acute viral disease that produces fever and a spreading red rash. It is chiefly a dictionary form: modern English overwhelmingly uses measles, including when speaking of one patient, as in “the child has measles.” Consequently, a standalone use such as “the child had measle” sounds formal, dated, or regional to many speakers. Measles is medically significant because it is extraordinarily contagious and can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Vaccination has greatly reduced illness and deaths, although outbreaks can still occur when vaccination coverage falls. The rarity of measle makes it useful chiefly as a reminder that familiar collective nouns can retain a traditional singular. In ordinary writing, choose measles, say “a case of measles,” and use the singular collective in expressions such as “measles is contagious.”
nounThe singular form of measles, an infectious viral disease characterized by fever and a widespread red rash. In modern usage, “measles” is overwhelmingly standard, while “measle” is chiefly a dictionary singular.
- A single case of the infectious viral disease measles.
"The child recovered from measle after a week."
"The child had measle and was kept away from school."
"Measle was confirmed in the child, and health officials began tracing contacts."
This traditional plural form is now the standard collective noun and normally takes singular agreement.
"Measles is highly contagious."
Measles is so contagious that up to nine in ten susceptible close contacts may become infected.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does measle come from?
The modern word developed through Middle English forms such as mesel and Middle Dutch measles, from a word family reconstructed as Proto-Germanic *mazō. Its relatives include Dutch mazelen, German Masern, and Old High German masa. The ultimate Indo-European derivation is disputed; proposed connections with a root meaning “to be ill” remain uncertain.
How measle is actually used
The standalone singular is rare in contemporary English and can sound formal, dated, or regional. In ordinary modern usage, say “measles,” “a case of measles,” or “the child has measles.” Although historically treated as a plural, “measles” now takes singular agreement in standard English.
Easily confused with measle
Measle is the rare singular form, whereas measles is the standard collective form used even for one case.