World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesInfectious
/ɪnˈfɛk.ʃəs/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Caused by or capable of being communicated by infection; liable to be transmitted to people, organisms, etc. through the environment.
"The medical staff ensured that patients with infectious diseases were kept in isolation wards." - 2
Likely to spread and influence others rapidly, especially referring to a mood, feeling, or quality.
"Her infectious enthusiasm for the project quickly motivated the entire design team."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Late Latin infectiosus, stemming from the classical Latin verb inficere meaning 'to stain, taint, or spoil'. Entering Middle English via Old French in the late 14th century, the term initially described the communication of disease through physical contact or air before expanding metaphorically in the 17th century to describe rapidly spreading emotions, behaviors, or ideas.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Infectious"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Infectious" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
infectieux
Transliteration: /ɛ̃.fɛk.sjø/
"Cette maladie est hautement infectieuse."
ansteckend
Transliteration: /ˈanˌʃtɛkn̩t/
"Lachen kann sehr ansteckend sein."
infettivo
Transliteration: /in.fetˈti.vo/
"Il suo entusiasmo era davvero infettivo."
infeccioso
Transliteration: /iɱ.fekˈsjo.so/
"Tiene una sonrisa infecciosa que alegra a todos."
infecioso
Transliteration: /ĩ.fɛ.ˈsju.zu/
"A alegria dele era contagiante e infeciosa."
संक्रामक
Transliteration: sankramak
"यह बीमारी बहुत संक्रामक है।"
传染性的
Transliteration: chuánrǎn xìng de
"他的笑声极具传染性。"
전염성이 있는
Transliteration: jeon-yeom-seong-i inneun
"그녀의 미소는 정말 전염성이 강하다."
伝染性の
Transliteration: densensei no
"彼の笑い声は周囲の人々に伝染した。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsA secondary residence owned or rented by a family or individual, used primarily for recreational purposes, holidays, or seasonal getaways.
Not producing or containing venom; incapable of injecting poison through a bite, sting, or other mechanism.
Placing the customer's needs, experiences, and preferences at the center of a business's philosophy, operations, and decision-making.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Infectious"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.