viral

[vahy-ruh l]

adjective

of, relating to, or caused by a virus.

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.See also viral marketing.

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.

pertaining to a computer virus.

Idioms

go viral, to spread rapidly via the Internet, email, or other media: Footage of the candidate's off-color remarks went viral within minutes.

Origin of viral

First recorded in 1935–40; vir(us) + -al¹

Related formsan·ti·vi·ral, adjective

Can be confusedviral virile

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for antiviral

Contemporary Examples of antiviral

A low count spelled serious trouble, whereas high and stable numbers were seen in those with a good response to antiviral drugs.
New Thai-Taiwanese Syndrome Is Not AIDS 2.0
Kent Sepkowitz
August 26, 2012

Historical Examples of antiviral

It proved resistant to every one of the antibiotics and antiviral agents in the Lancet's stockroom.
Star Surgeon
Alan Nourse

British Dictionary definitions for antiviral

antiviral

adjective

inhibiting the growth of viruses

noun

any antiviral drug: used to treat diseases caused by viruses, such as herpes infections and AIDS

viral

adjective

of, relating to, or caused by a virus

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for antiviral

viral

adj.

"of the nature of, or caused by, a virus," 1948, see virus.

Medicine definitions for antiviral

antiviral

[ăn′tē-vī′rəl, ăn′tī-]

adj.

Destroying or inhibiting the growth and reproduction of viruses.

Related formsan′ti•vi′ral n.

viral

[vī′rəl]

adj.

Of, relating to, or caused by a virus.