INFECTIOUS
Dictionary entry overview: What does infectious mean?
• INFECTIOUS (adjective)
The adjective INFECTIOUS has 3 senses:
1. caused by infection or capable of causing infection
2. easily spread
3. of or relating to infection
Familiarity information: INFECTIOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• INFECTIOUS (adjective)
Meaning:
Caused by infection or capable of causing infection
Synonyms:
infectious; infective
Context examples:
viruses and other infective agents / a carrier remains infective without himself showing signs of the disease
Similar:
infected; septic (containing or resulting from disease-causing organisms)
Meaning:
Easily spread
Context example:
fear is exceedingly infectious; children catch it from their elders
Similar:
catching; communicable; contagious; contractable; transmissible; transmittable ((of disease) capable of being transmitted by infection)
contagious (easily diffused or spread as from one person to another)
contaminating; corrupting (that infects or taints)
Antonym:
noninfectious (not infectious)
Meaning:
Of or relating to infection
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Context examples:
infectious hospital / infectious disease
Pertainym:
infection (the pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms)
