Logo
dictionary thesaurus

febrile

adjective
fe·​brile | \ ˈfe-ˌbrī(-ə)l also ˈfē- How to pronounce febrile (audio) \

Definition of febrile

: marked or caused by fever : feverish a febrile reaction caused by an allergy
Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about febrile

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Not too surprisingly, febrile originated in the field of medicine. We note its first use in the work of the 17th-century medical reformer Noah Biggs. Biggs used it in admonishing physicians to care for their "febrile patients" properly. Both feverish and febrile are from the Latin word for fever, which is febris. Nowadays, febrile is used in medicine in a variety of ways, including references to such things as "the febrile phase" of an illness. And, like feverish, it also has an extended sense, as in "a febrile emotional state."

Examples of febrile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 That was the febrile atmosphere on July 4th, when British marines abseiled onto the deck of the Grace 1 in Gibraltarian waters. — The Economist, "What Britain’s release of an Iranian tanker says about its post-Brexit foreign policy," 22 Aug. 2019 Farke's biggest challenge is to balance his team's inherently febrile DNA with defensive solidity fit for the Premier League. — SI.com, "The Biggest Challenges Facing the Premier League's Newest Managers This Season," 16 Aug. 2019 Such is today’s fragmented and febrile European politics. — The Economist, "Does Ursula von der Leyen have the right skills for the EU Commission?," 18 July 2019 Vaccines administered during this interval may increase the risk of fever, and therefore febrile seizures, because the vaccines rev up the immune system to mount a better immune response. — Tara Haelle, Scientific American, "Delaying Vaccines Increases Risks--with No Added Benefits," 2 June 2014 Tshapenda sees this security as necessary: a consequence of the large number of attacks on Ebola response workers in such febrile territory. — Sally Hayden, Time, "Inside the Battle to Save Congo From the Ebola Crisis," 19 June 2019 Hambidge says evidence shows the immune system may still be maturing during the second year of life, and febrile seizures caused by viruses naturally peak around 16 to 18 months. — Tara Haelle, Scientific American, "Delaying Vaccines Increases Risks--with No Added Benefits," 2 June 2014 Kenneth Whyte brings to life these pioneering days of febrile dramas, dirty tricks, wild stunts and pure genius. — Les Hinton, WSJ, "Five Best: Les Hinton on the Giants of the Press," 28 Dec. 2018 The art of guidance is always a delicate dance between realism and optimism, but a misstep in these febrile times can lead to a fall. — John D. Stoll, WSJ, "Apple and the Art of Guidance," 5 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'febrile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of febrile

1651, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for febrile

Medieval Latin febrilis, from Latin febris fever

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for febrile

febrile

adjective
How to pronounce febrile (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of febrile

medical : including or caused by fever

See the full definition for febrile in the English Language Learners Dictionary

febrile

adjective
fe·​brile | \ ˈfeb-ˌrīl also ˈfēb-\

Medical Definition of febrile

: marked or caused by fever : feverish

WORD OF THE DAY

convivial

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!