infect

[ɪnˈfɛkt]

infect Definition

• 1. to cause a disease or illness to develop in someone or something
• 2. to 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

Synonyms for infect

• contaminate
• pollute
• spread
• transmit
• infest

Antonyms for infect

• disinfect
• cleanse

Idioms Using infect

• infect someone with something

  to cause someone to have a particular feeling or attitude

  Example

  Her passion for the cause infected me with a desire to help.

• infect the air

  to make a place or situation unpleasant or tense

  Example

  The argument infected the air, making it difficult to breathe.

• infect the mind

  to influence someone's thinking or behavior in a negative way

  Example

  The violent video games infected his mind and made him more aggressive.

Phrases with infect

• be infected with

  to have a disease or illness

  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.

• infectious disease

  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'

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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.