cold sore

noun

: a group of fluid-filled blisters appearing about or within the mouth that are caused by a herpes simplex virus and upon rupturing form crusts

called also fever blister

compare canker sore

Examples of cold sore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the first century A.D., the emperor Tiberius tried to outlaw kissing at state functions, likely because of an epidemic of cold sores. Franz Lidz, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024 The hallmark of a common virus that potentially impacts 80 percent of the United States, cold sores can appear out of nowhere and look like small blisters, which eventually crust over. Hannah Coates, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2024 Some people with herpes don’t get those tingling feelings before developing a cold sore. Mark Hay, SELF, 26 Jan. 2024 Type 1 of the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) causes cold sores, also called oral herpes. Health Editorial Team, Health, 30 Oct. 2023 Anyone with a history of cold sores triggered by sunlight should routinely wear sunscreen while receiving light therapy to prevent any reoccurrence. Karen Pallarito, Health, 18 Dec. 2023 For instance, if an unplanned pimple or cold sore pops up on the day of shooting, it'll probably be edited out in post production. Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 27 Oct. 2023 These side effects include bleeding and pain at injection sites, triggering of a cold sore outbreak, discoloration, infection, asymmetrical lip size, long term swelling, itching, rash, allergic reaction and bruising. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2023 What causes cold sores: Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus (generally, HSV-1, whereas HSV-2 usually causes problems below the belt), WH previously reported. Daley Quinn, Women's Health, 8 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cold sore.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cold sore was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near cold sore

Cite this Entry

“Cold sore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20sore. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cold sore

noun
: a group of blisters about or within the mouth caused by a herpes virus

called also fever blister

Medical Definition

cold sore

noun
: a vesicular lesion that typically occurs in or around the mouth, that initially causes pain, burning, or itching before bursting and crusting over, and that is caused by a herpes simplex virus which remains dormant in the body and may be reactivated by a variety of factors (as stress, fever, or sunburn)

called also fever blister

compare canker sore

More from Merriam-Webster on cold sore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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