Contagious: meaning, definitions and examples

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contagious

[kənˈteɪdʒəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

spread of disease

Capable of being transmitted from one person or organism to another by direct or indirect contact, typically resulting in the rapid spread of the disease.

Synonyms

communicable, infectious, transmittable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
contagious	Use 'contagious' primarily to describe diseases that can be spread from one person to another through direct or indirect contact. It often signifies that the disease can spread easily. Chickenpox is highly contagious, so please avoid close contact with others if you have it. His laughter was so contagious that soon the whole room was giggling.
infectious	Use 'infectious' to describe diseases caused by organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that spreads quickly, like laughter or enthusiasm. The flu is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Her enthusiasm for the project was infectious, and soon everyone was excited to contribute.
transmittable	Use 'transmittable' to refer to the ability of a disease or condition to be passed from one person to another. This term is often used in a formal or technical context. HIV is transmittable through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child during birth. They discussed the various transmittable factors in the spread of the infection.
communicable	Use 'communicable' mainly in scientific or medical contexts to describe diseases that can be transmitted from one person to another. It is often used in formal or academic settings. Tuberculosis is a communicable disease that requires proper treatment to prevent spreading. The World Health Organization tracks communicable diseases globally.

Examples of usage

COVID-19 is highly contagious and can easily spread through respiratory droplets.
The flu virus is known to be contagious, especially in crowded places.
Measles is a contagious disease that can be prevented with vaccination.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

spread of emotions or behavior

Likely to spread or influence others, especially in terms of emotions or behavior.

Synonyms

infectious, spreading, transmittable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
contagious	Used when talking about diseases or emotions that can easily spread from one person to another. The flu is highly contagious and can spread quickly in schools. Her laughter was contagious, and soon everyone in the room was laughing.
infectious	Refers to diseases that can be transmitted through bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens. Also used metaphorically for positive emotions. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. His enthusiasm was infectious and motivated everyone on the team.
spreading	Used generally to describe something that is moving or extending to a wider area, such as rumors, ideas, or diseases. The wildfire is spreading rapidly across the forest. False information about the new policy is spreading on social media.
transmittable	Used primarily in medical contexts to describe diseases or conditions that can be passed from one individual to another. HIV is a transmittable virus that can be spread through blood and other body fluids. Some forms of hepatitis are transmittable through contaminated food and water.

Examples of usage

Her laughter was contagious and soon everyone in the room was smiling.
The enthusiasm of the team was contagious and motivated others to work harder.
His positive attitude was contagious and uplifted the entire group.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

This word comes from the Latin word 'contagiosus', meaning 'touched together' or 'communicated by contact'.
The term originally referred to diseases that could be spread by touch in the late 14th century.

Medicine

Certain diseases, like the flu and COVID-19, are highly contagious and spread easily between people.
Contagiousness can vary significantly based on a person's immune system and behavior.

Psychology

Emotions can also be contagious; seeing someone smile can make you smile too, reflecting a social phenomenon.
Mood and behavior can spread through groups, making environments either positive or negative.

Pop Culture

The concept of contagiousness is popular in films, often used for horror movies featuring outbreaks and infections.
Songs or memes can become 'contagious' on social media, spreading rapidly among users.

Science

Scientific studies show that laughter can be contagious, with one giggle often leading to a chain reaction among friends.
Certain viruses have a contagious range, meaning they can be passed more easily in close spaces or large gatherings.

Translations

Translations of the word "contagious" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contagioso

🇮🇳 संक्रामक

🇩🇪 ansteckend

🇮🇩 menular

🇺🇦 заразний

🇵🇱 zaraźliwy

🇯🇵 伝染性の

🇫🇷 contagieux

🇪🇸 contagioso

🇹🇷 bulaşıcı

🇰🇷 전염성의

🇸🇦 معدي

🇨🇿 nakažlivý

🇸🇰 nákazlivý

🇨🇳 传染性的

🇸🇮 nalezljiv

🇮🇸 smitandi

🇰🇿 жұқпалы

🇬🇪 დამაინფიცირებელი

🇦🇿 yoluxucu

🇲🇽 contagioso

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,406, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10403 coffin
10404 acidity
10405 disparity
10406 contagious
10407 penis
10408 surpassed
10409 pretext
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