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infect

[ɪnˈfɛkt]

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

Antonyms for infect

Idioms Using infect

  • to cause someone to have a particular feeling or attitude

    Example

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

  • to make a place or situation unpleasant or tense

    Example

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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

How do native speakers use this expression?