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

This can create a vicious cycle of one cold sore healing while another forms. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 20 Dec. 2024

Rarer side effects include blisters, a herpes simplex (cold sores) outbreak, infections, scarring, and skin lightening or darkening. —Laura Schober, Health, 28 Dec. 2024

Around the mouth, these are often known as cold sores, or genital ulcer disease when around the genitals. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

As a supplement, lysine is most commonly recommended to prevent herpes outbreaks and especially cold sores, says Dr. Denise Millstine, a women's health specialist and director of the Mayo Clinic integrative medicine clinic in Arizona. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

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