infectious
Catches on quickly
Infectious describes something that spreads from one host to another.
An infectious disease passes between people through contact, air, or other transmission.
The word extends to anything that spreads readily: infectious laughter, an infectious smile, infectious enthusiasm.
If someone's mood is infectious, others catch it without trying.
The medical and figurative uses share the same logic—contagion that moves through proximity.
Transmissible between people
- transmissibleAble to spread between individuals
- communicableCapable of being spread
- spreadableAble to be spread
- catchingAble to be transmitted
airborne · waterborne · bloodborne · droplet · contact · zoonotic · vector-borne
Pleasantly attractive in manner
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- engagingPleasantly attractive, compelling attention
- irresistibleImpossible to withstand
- magneticAttracting iron or attention
compelling · contagious · catching · disarming · winning · beguiling · enchanting · alluring
Widespread disease occurrence
- pandemicGlobal disease outbreak
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- endemicNative to one area
- transmissionSending of information
contamination · spread · quarantine · isolation · exposure · carrier · incubation · immunity
Disorder impairing normal function
- illnessState of poor health
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
microbe · parasite · fungus · tuberculosis · influenza · malaria · measles · hepatitis
Vocal expression of amusement
- gigglingLaughing in short bursts
- chucklingLaughing softly, briefly
- smilePleased facial expression
- grinBroad, toothy smile
mirth · hilarity · cackling · snickering · guffaw · tittering · roaring
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
- pulseArterial blood throb
- tempoRate of musical performance
cadence · syncopation · hook · bassline · melody · funk · swing · earworm
contagious
Transmissible between people
- transmissibleAble to spread between individuals
- communicableCapable of being spread
- spreadableAble to be spread
catching · airborne · waterborne · bloodborne · droplet · contact · zoonotic · vector-borne
charming
Pleasantly attractive in manner
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- engagingPleasantly attractive, compelling attention
- irresistibleImpossible to withstand
magnetic · compelling · contagious · catching · disarming · winning · beguiling · enchanting · alluring · charismatic
epidemic
Widespread disease occurrence
transmission · contamination · spread · quarantine · isolation · exposure · carrier · incubation · immunity · vaccination
disease
Disorder impairing normal function
- illnessState of poor health
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
pathogen · microbe · parasite · fungus · tuberculosis · influenza · malaria · measles · hepatitis · meningitis
laughter
Vocal expression of amusement
grin · mirth · hilarity · cackling · snickering · guffaw · tittering · roaring
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
tempo · cadence · syncopation · hook · bassline · melody · funk · swing · earworm
enthusiastic
Showing intense eager enjoyment
- exuberantIntensely lively and cheerful
- effervescentFizzing with gas bubbles
- spiritedFull of vim
bubbly · animated · vivacious · ebullient · energetic · lively · dynamic · buoyant · high-spirited · zestful
- pandemiclockdowns, COVID-19, outbreak, epidemic, COVID
- medical termsdiagnosis, disorder, surgery, disease, illness
- medical adjectivessurgical, cardiac, orthopedic, malignant, respiratory
- epidemiologyepidemic, epidemiology, pandemic, outbreak, endemic
- Danger Levelsdanger, high risk, high-risk, low risk, critical
- safety signswarning sign, warning signs, danger sign, caution sign, warning labels
infectiousnoninfectious
Cannot pass to others
noncommunicable · non-infectious · noncontagious · uncontagious · uninfectious
infectiousrepellent
Causes strong aversion
off-putting · uninspiring · dampening · stifling · unappealing
- ear infectionInflamed auditory canal
- sinus infectionInflamed nasal cavity illness
- infectious diseasesPathogen-caused transmissible conditions
- viral infectionDisease caused by microbes
- eye infectionPathogen invading ocular tissue
- kidney infectionBacterial illness of renal organ
infection, infections, disinfection, infectious disease, infectiously, reinfection, infectiousness, infectious diseases, superinfection