Definition of INFECTIOUS

infectious

Meanings

Adjective Satellite

  • caused by infection or capable of causing infection

Adjective

  • easily spread; - Bertrand Russell
    • "fear is exceedingly infectious; children catch it from their elders"
  • of or relating to infection
    • "infectious hospital"
    • "infectious disease"

Adj

  • Caused by an agent that enters the host's body (such as a bacterium, virus, parasite, or prion); often, also, transmitted among hosts via any of various routes (for example, contact, droplet-borne, airborne, waterborne, foodborne, fomite-borne, or bloodborne).
  • Able to infect others; capable of transmitting pathogens.
  • Spreading quickly from one person to another.
  • Memorable and invoking excitement or interest.

Origin / Etymology

From infect + -ious.

Synonyms

infective

Antonyms

non-infectious, noninfectious

Scrabble Score: 15

infectious is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
infectious is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
infectious is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

infectious is a valid Words With Friends word