viral

[vahy-ruhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or caused by a virus.

2. pertaining to or involving the spreading of information and opinions about a product or service from person to person, especially on the internet or in emails.

   a clever viral ad.

3. becoming very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the internet.

   the most memorable viral videos;

   This book is already viral two weeks before its official publication date.

4. pertaining to a computer virus.

viral

/ ˈvaɪrəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or caused by a virus

2. (of a video, image, story, etc) spread quickly and widely among internet users via social networking sites, e-mail, etc

Other Word Forms

• antiviral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of viral¹

First recorded in 1935–40; vir(us) + -al ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go viral, to spread rapidly via the internet, email, or other media.

   Footage of the candidate's off-color remarks went viral within minutes.

Example Sentences

In January, a sign displaying width restrictions for boats passing through a railway viaduct was installed after pictures of a £1m yacht looking stuck - while moving slowly - went viral online.

Read more on BBC

The incident, which has since gone viral, led to one immigration agent being temporarily suspended.

Read more on BBC

In another viral deepfake video he grills and eats the game's infamous Pikachu mascot.

Read more on BBC

In the viral video, he takes just under 42 steps in 100 meters—right behind the 41 that Bolt took to set the world record of 9.58 in 2009.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The meme “Gen Z Stare” went viral on TikTok this summer, a reference to young people who seem to struggle to connect with older co-workers and customers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal