"measling" means: : the disease caused by M. morbillivirus, a red spot caused by the disease.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
measling
(UK, _, dialect) : the disease caused by M.
Definitions
UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK
(UK, _, dialect) : the disease caused by M. morbillivirus, a red spot caused by the disease.
Origin: , but probably via Scandinavian forms such as , , , etc. combining the Germanic roots related to blood blisters with the suffix -ing. In reference to delamination, possibly a separate derivation from under influence from the dialectal name for the disease. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents
"measling" means: : the disease caused by M. morbillivirus, a red spot caused by the disease.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
"measling" means: : the disease caused by M. morbillivirus, a red spot caused by the disease.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (UK) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK
(uncountable) A form of delamination or separation in a laminate material that results in a spotty appearance.
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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UK
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