What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fever
Example
She had a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit. [fever: noun]
Example
He was feverish and had chills all night. [feverish: adjective]
pyrexia
Example
The doctor diagnosed him with pyrexia and prescribed medication. [pyrexia: noun]
Example
Pyrexia is often accompanied by other symptoms such as headache and muscle pain. [pyrexia: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fever is much more commonly used than pyrexia in everyday language, and is the preferred term for most people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fever and pyrexia?
Pyrexia is a more formal term than fever, and is typically used in medical or clinical settings where precise and technical language is required.