What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
trended
Example
The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter trended on Twitter for several weeks. [trended: past tense]
Example
The new restaurant trended among foodies and received rave reviews. [trended: verb]
viral
Example
The video of the cat playing the piano went viral on YouTube. [viral: adjective]
Example
The flu virus went viral and infected many people in the community. [viral: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Viral is more commonly used than trended in everyday language, especially in the context of social media and online content.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between trended and viral?
Both trended and viral can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but viral may be more informal due to its association with internet culture and memes.