INFECTIOUS

Pronunciation (US):

• 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.

• 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)