viral

American  

[vahy-ruhl] / ˈvaɪ rəl /

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.

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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.

viral British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• antiviral
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of viral

First recorded in 1935–40; vir(us) + -al ¹

Explanation

If you go to work when you're sick, your co-workers will be hoping that whatever you've got isn't viral. Viral describes a disease caused by a virus, and viruses are usually infectious. Infections and other kinds of diseases can be classified as viral by a doctor, which means they're caused by viruses, specific kinds of microorganisms. Because of the speedy way that viral infections can spread, the meaning has grown to include the spread of ideas or information, often on the Internet. Viral videos are short online films that become incredibly popular very quickly, as people share them with each other and they spread like a virus.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

viral

But in true Hollywood fashion, studios are already scouring the depths of the internet, in search of untapped talent and viral content that could re-create a similar success.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

The app has boosted lesser-known businesses and sent tourists in droves to unconventional locations such as Zibo, a quiet industrial city in Shandong, after its cheap, marinated barbecue skewers went viral.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

Social media has driven interest in these DIY events as artists playing ambient music against a backdrop of verdant green have gone viral on TikTok.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Haaland has gone viral for his goofy Snapchat stories, unfiltered interviews and candid vlogs.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

But the viral information is simple, exceedingly compact, extraordinarily efficient.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan