What does plague mean?
A plague is an epidemic disease, most famously the bubonic plague that spread through medieval Europe and was transmitted largely by infected fleas. In modern figurative use, a plague is any persistent, widespread, or especially disruptive problem: unemployment, a computer failure, or another troublesome condition can be described as a plague. The related verb, to plague someone, means to subject them to persistent annoyance, distress, or repeated difficulties, often through a minor but irritating source. The word carries strong historical and emotional weight because plague epidemics have caused catastrophic loss of life and social disruption. Although medical usage is precise, figurative usage is common in both formal and informal English and can range from serious social commentary to everyday complaint.
An epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis and spread mainly through infected fleas; also, figuratively, a persistent or devastating problem.
"The city was placed under quarantine after a case of plague was confirmed."
When used medically, the term normally refers to the specific disease caused by Yersinia pestis. Figurative uses often describe a widespread social ill or a particularly troublesome problem.
To cause someone continual annoyance, distress, or difficulty.
"A faulty sensor continued to plague the engineers throughout the night."
This use is common in both speech and writing. It often describes a problem that persists or recurs.
The plural is used for separate diseases, outbreaks, or figurative troubles.
"The region suffered several plagues that destroyed crops and weakened its population."
The word that names one of history’s most feared diseases has also become a vivid metaphor for anything that relentlessly troubles us.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plague come from?
The word comes through Middle English and Old French from Latin plaga, associated with a blow, stroke, or scourge, and the sense of a devastating visitation developed from that history. English “plague” retains the older sense of a particularly severe epidemic and acquired the figurative sense of a curse or disastrous trouble. Related forms in English, including “plagiarism,” ultimately draw on the same Latin word through the notion of taking or carrying off.
Related word forms
How plague is actually used
In its medical sense, plague most often refers specifically to bubonic plague, although related forms of the disease also exist. The figurative use is common and can be serious or relatively mild, depending on context. As a verb, it typically describes persistent irritation or repeated problems.
Easily confused with plague
A plaque is a flat, often decorative panel bearing a name, inscription, or commemorative text, whereas a plague is a disease or a figurative curse.