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

“He went Facebook viral, which I thought was kind of neat, but I wish he wouldn’t have gotten arrested for it to happen,” she said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Five Scottish schoolboys are enjoying internet fame after a video of them singing Wham's Last Christmas into a Ring doorbell went viral.

Read more on BBC

The prime minister has apologised to a head teacher after leading primary school children in a version of the viral 6-7 dance meme.

Read more on BBC

Protein synthesis is extremely sensitive to disruptions such as limited amino acids, damaged mRNA, or viral infections.

Read more on Science Daily

The Belgian stopper "has been diagnosed with viral gastroenteritis" said Madrid in a statement ahead of Wednesday's match in Athens.

Read more on Barron's