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

If the human colony is indeed collapsing, Mr. Lanthimos suggests, the unchecked transmission of viral misinformation might be a leading cause.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“We had no idea it would go viral the way it did.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Also in Wellington, a woman was blown onto oncoming traffic on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a moment that was captured in a viral dashcam video.

Read more on BBC

More recent performers have included this past year's headliner Kendrick Lamar, the rapper who cut out profanity but still performed a viral diss track of his rival Drake.

Read more on Barron's

The lyrics went viral after she referenced actress Sydney Sweeney's advertisement campaign for American Eagle Jeans.

Read more on BBC