virulence
Americannoun
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quality of being virulent.
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Bacteriology.
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the relative ability of a microorganism to cause disease; degree of pathogenicity.
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the capability of a microorganism to cause disease.
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venomous hostility.
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intense sharpness of temper.
noun
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the quality of being virulent
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the capacity of a microorganism for causing disease
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“Virulent” substances or organisms are extremely pathogenic or toxic.
Etymology
Origin of virulence
1655–65; < Late Latin vīrulentia stench; see virulent, -ence
Explanation
Virulence is a harmful quality possessed by microorganisms that can cause disease. You can also use the noun virulence to describe someone's malicious actions. A virus spreads disease, and virulence is a quality possessed by viruses that are on the loose and spreading. This could be as common as the flu or as unusual as chemical warfare. You can also speak of the virulence of hostile, harmful words and actions. Publicly insulting and discrediting someone is an example of virulence. With either meaning, virulence indicates danger and harm. The Latin root is virulentus, "poisonous."
Vocabulary lists containing virulence
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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.
“The Saudis understood that their dispute with the Emiratis had crossed into an anti-Israel posture of increasing virulence, that it was creating serious problems for them in Washington,” Dubowitz said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026
The researchers plan to continue exploring how specific virulence factors identified in the study influence disease progression.
From Science Daily • Jan. 20, 2026
Mycoviral infections are multifaceted; they can reduce or increase virulence or remain hidden without obvious symptoms.
From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2024
"So, we expected the virus might have a negative effect on Bd virulence and were stunned to find the opposite effect."
From Salon • Apr. 6, 2024
Like Griffith, Avery observed that the smooth-coated bacteria, once transformed, retained their virulence generation upon generation.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
