mumps

Everyday

Mumps is an infectious illness caused by a virus that makes the glands under the ears swell, so the cheeks and jaw puff up and hurt. tree →

In the lessons

In health and science lessons mumps is one of the illnesses prevented by the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella), which most children in the UK, USA, Australia and elsewhere are offered. It spreads through coughs, sneezes and saliva. Phrases: «have mumps», «catch mumps», «the MMR jab».

Examples

• My dad had mumps when he was a boy. tree →
• Mumps makes your cheeks swell like a hamster's. tree →
• The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. tree →
• She caught mumps and missed two weeks of school. tree →
• Mumps spreads through coughs and sneezes. tree →
• Mumps is rare now because of vaccines. tree →

Note

Looks plural but takes a singular verb: «Mumps is catching». Often used without «the»: «He has mumps». The «M» in MMR stands for measles, the second «M» for mumps.