What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infect
Example
The flu virus can infect people very quickly. [infect: verb]
Example
She was infected with COVID-19 after coming into contact with someone who had the virus. [infected: past participle]
contaminate
Example
The water supply was contaminated with lead, making it unsafe to drink. [contaminate: verb]
Example
The food was contaminated with bacteria, causing many people to get sick. [contaminated: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contaminate is more commonly used than infect in everyday language. Contaminate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while infect is less common and refers specifically to the spread of disease or illness.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between infect and contaminate?
Both infect and contaminate are formal words that are commonly used in scientific or medical contexts. However, infect may be considered more technical and specific to the field of medicine, while contaminate can be used in a wider range of contexts.
