Meaning of the word infect in English

What does infect mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

infect

US /ɪnˈfekt/

UK /ɪnˈfekt/

affect (a person, animal, or part of the body) with a disease-causing organism.

Example:

•

The virus can infect cells and replicate rapidly.

•

A mosquito bite can infect you with malaria.

Synonym:

contaminate pollute taint foul spoil

fill (someone) with a strong feeling or emotion.

Example:

•

His enthusiasm began to infect everyone around him.

•

Her laughter was so contagious it seemed to infect the whole room.

Synonym:

imbue permeate pervade saturate suffuse

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Related Word:

infection