transmissible
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of transmissible
1635–45; < Latin trānsmiss ( us ) ( see transmission) + -ible
Explanation
Having a transmissible illness is a good excuse to stay home from school or work: it means that whatever bug you have spreads very easily to other people. The dangerous thing about viruses like polio, smallpox, Covid-19, and the flu is that they're extremely transmissible, spreading easily from person to person. Depending on the pathogen, this happens when a sick person sneezes, coughs, or touches a surface with germy fingers. The Latin root of transmissible is transmittere, "transfer or send across," from trans-, "across," and mittere, "to send or throw."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So-called gain-of-function research can theoretically make viruses more transmissible or more deadly.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026
“In conditions when people are not aware, this virus might be transmissible, especially at the beginning of an outbreak,” he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 16, 2026
Even though this is not an easily transmitted disease, it is transmissible and has a high mortality rate, Iovine said.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026
The only hantavirus type that is transmissible between humans -- the Andes virus -- has been confirmed among those who have tested positive, fuelling international concern.
From Barron's ● May 10, 2026
The close association and repeated contact of man with these animals has resulted in his contracting such of their diseases as are transmissible to him.
From A Synopsis of the North American Lagomorpha by E. Raymond (Eugene Raymond) Hall
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