infectious

American  

[in-fek-shuhs] / ɪnˈfɛk ʃəs /

adjective

1. communicable by infection, as from one person to another or from one part of the body to another.

   infectious diseases.

   Synonyms:

   catching

2. causing or communicating infection.

3. tending to spread from one to another.

   infectious laughter.

4. Law. capable of contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure or forfeiture.

5. Obsolete. diseased.

---

infectious British  

/ ɪnˈfɛkʃəs /

adjective

1. (of a disease) capable of being transmitted Compare contagious

2. (of a disease) caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoa

3. causing or transmitting infection

4. tending or apt to spread, as from one person to another

   infectious mirth

5. international law

   1. tainting or capable of tainting with illegality

   2. rendering liable to seizure or forfeiture

---

infectious Scientific  

/ ĭn-fĕk′shəs /

1. Capable of causing infection.

2. See Note at contagious

---

Related Words

See contagious.

Other Word Forms

• infectiously adverb
• infectiousness noun
• noninfectious adjective
• noninfectiously adverb
• noninfectiousness noun
• uninfectious adjective
• uninfectiously adverb
• uninfectiousness noun

Etymology

Origin of infectious

First recorded in 1535–45; infect(ion) + -ious

Example Sentences

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand said in a statement that the tigers' deaths exposed the "extreme vulnerability of captive wildlife facilities to infectious disease".

From BBC

For decades, scientists have chased the idea of a universal vaccine capable of protecting against virtually any infectious threat.

From Science Daily

The drugmaker is splitting its Human Health business into an oncology unit and a specialty, pharmaceuticals, and infectious diseases unit.

From Barron's

The provincial livestock office in Chiang Mai said in a statement on Friday that testing detected the highly infectious canine distemper virus as well as bacteria affecting the respiratory system.

From Barron's

After tuberculosis and COVID-19 cases, both highly infectious contagions, were confirmed there, Escobar said that employees told her not to enter a certain area because detainees had yet to be tested.

From Salon

Related Words

• contagious
• toxic
• virulent