Definition of Fever
Quick Meaning of Fever
Fever is when your body temperature becomes too high, usually because you are sick.
Detailed Definition of Fever
An abnormally high body temperature, usually accompanied by illness or infection.
How to Pronounce Fever
Stress pattern: Oo (2-syllable word).
Tip: Two syllables: FEE-ver. Stress the first syllable. Say 'fee' like the word 'fee' (payment).
Watch out: Sometimes pronounced FEV-ur with stress on second syllable. Correct: FEE-ver.
Origin and Etymology of Fever
From Latin 'febris' meaning high temperature. Related to the physical heat of illness.
How to Use Fever in a Sentence
Each example shows “fever” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
-
“She had a fever of 39 degrees and stayed home from school.”
-
“The doctor said his fever would go away in a few days.”
-
“A fever is the body's natural response to fighting infection.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Fever
Common Synonyms for Fever
Smart Synonyms for Fever — When to Use Each
- temperature
- General term for body heat level
- high temperature
- Explicitly elevated body heat state
- infection
- Often the underlying cause of fever
Common Collocations with Fever
These phrases pair with “fever” in everyday English:
- have a fever
- high fever
- fever goes down
- fever breaks
- run a fever
Common Mistakes When Using Fever
Even fluent speakers slip up with “fever”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: I have a fever of 36 degrees Celsius.
- ✓ Correct: A normal body temperature is 37 degrees. A fever is usually 38 degrees or higher.
- Why: Fever only refers to abnormally elevated temperature, not normal temperatures.
- ✗ Wrong: A fever is always dangerous.
- ✓ Correct: Low fevers help the body fight infection. Very high fevers can be serious.
- Why: Fevers are often beneficial for fighting illness. Only very high ones need immediate attention.
Words Confused With Fever
- Fever vs Temperature: Temperature is the general measurement; fever is specifically abnormally high temperature due to illness.
- Fever vs Flu: Flu is a disease that causes fever. Fever is just one symptom of flu.
Other Forms of Fever
Frequently Asked Questions About Fever
What is the meaning of "Fever"?
Fever is when your body temperature becomes too high, usually because you are sick.
How do you pronounce "Fever"?
The IPA is /ˈfiːvər/. Two syllables: FEE-ver. Stress the first syllable. Say 'fee' like the word 'fee' (payment).
What part of speech is "Fever"?
"Fever" is a noun at A2 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Fever"?
Common synonyms include temperature, high temperature, illness.
How do you use "Fever" in a sentence?
For example: "She had a fever of 39 degrees and stayed home from school."