FEVER is an elevated body temperature above normal (98.6°F/37°C), typically indicating illness. It's also used metaphorically for intense excitement or enthusiasm. A solid F-V word combo in Scrabble.
Yes. FEVER is in the Scrabble-style word list used by our tools and scores 11 points in Scrabble, 12 in Words With Friends and 11 in Wordfeud (base tile values, no board multipliers). Always check the dictionary your game uses (NWL, Collins or the WWF list) before playing.
| Letter | F | E | V | E | R | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrabble | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Words With Friends | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Wordfeud | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
FEVER is the body's natural defense mechanism against infection, characterized by an elevated core temperature above the normal range of 97-99°F (36.1-37.2°C). When pathogens invade, the hypothalamus—the body's thermostat—raises the temperature set point, creating an environment less hospitable to bacteria and viruses while enhancing immune system function.
Medically, fever is defined as a core body temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Common causes include viral and bacterial infections, inflammatory conditions, certain medications, and heat exhaustion. While often uncomfortable, moderate fever (up to 102°F/38.9°C) is generally beneficial, accelerating healing by increasing white blood cell production and antibody formation.
Beyond its medical meaning, "fever" has rich metaphorical uses. We speak of "gold fever" during rushes, "cabin fever" from confinement, "spring fever" for seasonal restlessness, and "fever pitch" for maximum intensity. These figurative uses capture fever's essence: a heightened, temporary state that consumes normal functioning.
"Fever" traces back to Latin "febris," meaning fever or heat, which gave rise to Old English "fefor" or "fefer." The Latin root connects to Proto-Indo-European *dhegh- (to burn), linking fever conceptually to fire and burning—an apt metaphor for the sensation.
Anagrams: no other word uses exactly the letters of FEVER.
Hooks: no front hooks; back FEVERS.
Words inside FEVER: 17 shorter words can be made from these letters – highest scoring: EVERFEREFREEREEFVEEREVEFEEFERREFREVVEEEF. See all words from FEVER.