plague

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'plague' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a destructive or harmful influence, or to a serious, often infectious disease. For example, "The plague devastated the city, killing thousands of people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From bubonic plague in the middle ages to bird flu or Sars in the 21st century, infectious diseases have spread horrifyingly fast in cities, where people live in close proximity and sometimes crowded together.

The Guardian

The footballers of Guinea say they were exiled and made to feel like they had "the plague" because of the presence of Ebola in their country when they played their qualifying matches for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Guardian - Sport

The team's French coach, Michel Dussuyer, said some treated the players "as if they were like the plague".

The Guardian - Sport

Welby described Ebola as a "plague of extraordinary proportions" with reporters "as much at risk as anyone in a war zone".

The Guardian

First recounted in Spillover, which Walter Isaacson called a frightening and fascinating masterpiece, The Chimp and the River is the true account of how an unnoticed chimpanzee infection became a human plague.

The Guardian

"There's a real plague going on at the moment," she said.

The Guardian

A plague will never sweep the streets of Assassin's Creed: Unity, allowing sinister new clans to emerge from the festering alleyways.

The Guardian - Tech

Then, bang on cue, a quote from Noel – something along the lines of "I'd rather slam my tallywhacker in a rusty letterbox than be in a band again with that whomping great knobber" – swarms the internet like a plague of locusts, deflating the rumour where it stands.

The Guardian - Music

Not so long ago, Maclean was shooting half-a-dozen foxes a season - well, you would, if they kept going through your poultry shed like the plague.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I also read a lot of apocalyptic science fiction: I use the specter of the zombie plague as motivation when I don't want to go to the gym.

The Guardian - Opinion

Why?" Gadjieva said, calling the project a "feast during a plague".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "plague" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly establishes the negative impact and widespread nature of the issue you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "plague" lightly in everyday conversations for minor inconveniences; reserve it for truly significant and widespread problems to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "plague" functions primarily as a noun referring to a widespread disease or a verb meaning to trouble or afflict. Ludwig AI shows examples ranging from historical epidemics to metaphorical usages for persistent problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "plague" is a versatile term used both literally to denote a devastating disease and metaphorically to describe any widespread and troublesome affliction. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While "plague" accurately conveys severity, writers should use it judiciously, reserving it for situations warranting such strong language. Alternatives like "pestilence", "epidemic outbreak", and "scourge" offer nuances suited for specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pestilence

Synonymous term emphasizing a deadly or virulent epidemic disease.

affliction

A state of pain, distress, or suffering, either physical or mental.

epidemic outbreak

Focuses more specifically on the sudden and widespread occurrence of a disease.

scourge

Highlights the severe and destructive nature of a problem or calamity.

widespread affliction

Emphasizes the broad impact of suffering or distress, whether physical or emotional.

bane

Highlights something that causes misery or ruin.

infestation

Refers to the presence of unwanted pests or entities, often in large numbers.

menace

Implies a threat or danger, often posing a risk to well-being or stability.

annoyance

Indicates a source of irritation or bother, typically less severe than a "plague".

wave of

Refers to sudden increase of something, usually considered bad or unpleasant.

FAQs

How can I use "plague" in a sentence?

You can use "plague" to describe a widespread disease, like "The bubonic plague decimated Europe", or metaphorically to describe a persistent problem, such as "Corruption continues to plague the government".

What are some synonyms for "plague"?

Alternatives include "pestilence", "epidemic outbreak", "scourge", or "widespread affliction", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "plague" metaphorically?

Use "plague" metaphorically when describing a severe and widespread problem that causes significant distress or damage, similar to the effects of a real plague. Be cautious not to trivialize serious issues.

What's the difference between "plague" and "epidemic"?

"Plague" often refers specifically to bubonic plague or any devastating widespread disease, while "epidemic" is a more general term for any rapid spread of disease. Both terms can also be used metaphorically to describe any rapidly spreading problem.