infect Definition
- 1to cause a disease or illness to develop in someone or something
- 2to affect someone with a particular feeling or attitude
Using infect: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "infect" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The virus can infect humans and animals.
Example
The bacteria infected the wound and caused an infection.
Example
Her enthusiasm for the project infected everyone around her.
Example
His positive attitude infected the entire team.
infect Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using infect
Example
Her passion for the cause infected me with a desire to help.
Example
The argument infected the air, making it difficult to breathe.
Example
The violent video games infected his mind and made him more aggressive.
Phrases with infect
Example
He was infected with COVID-19 and had to quarantine.
infectious smile/laughter
a smile or laughter that is so pleasant and contagious that it makes others smile or laugh
Example
Her infectious smile brightened up the room.
a disease caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that can be spread from one person to another
Example
Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Origins of infect
from Latin 'infectus', meaning 'stained, tainted'
Summary: infect in Brief
The verb 'infect' [ɪnˈfɛkt] refers to causing a disease or illness to develop in someone or something, or affecting someone with a particular feeling or attitude. It can be used to describe the transmission of diseases like COVID-19, as well as the spread of emotions or ideas. Phrases like 'be infected with' and 'infectious smile/laughter' are common, while idioms like 'infect someone with something' and 'infect the mind' show how the term extends into metaphorical contexts.