contagious
Describes a disease that is spread from one person or organism to another by direct or indirect contact. It is also used figuratively to describe an emotion, feeling, or attitude that spreads quickly among a group of people.
Examples
3 of 5The doctor warned that the flu remains contagious for several days after the fever breaks.
The physician advised that the virus can still spread to others for a few days after the high temperature stops.
Public health officials are monitoring the outbreak of several highly contagious respiratory infections.
Government health authorities are tracking the sudden appearance of many easily spread lung diseases.
Stay away from me today; I've got a nasty cold and I'm probably contagious.
Don't get too close because I am sick and likely to pass the germs to you.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'CON' in contagious as standing for 'Contact'. If you have contact with someone, the feeling or germ spreads.
Quick Quiz
The toddler was sent home from daycare because his skin rash was considered _______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: contagious
Examples
The doctor warned that the flu remains contagious for several days after the fever breaks.
everydayThe physician advised that the virus can still spread to others for a few days after the high temperature stops.
Public health officials are monitoring the outbreak of several highly contagious respiratory infections.
formalGovernment health authorities are tracking the sudden appearance of many easily spread lung diseases.
Stay away from me today; I've got a nasty cold and I'm probably contagious.
informalDon't get too close because I am sick and likely to pass the germs to you.
Sociologists have long studied the contagious nature of panic within crowded environments.
academicResearchers of society have investigated how fear spreads like a virus among people in packed spaces.
The CEO’s contagious optimism helped the company navigate through the financial crisis.
businessThe leader's positive attitude spread to everyone else and helped the firm survive the money problems.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
contagious smile
a smile that makes others want to smile too
social contagion
the spread of behaviors or attitudes through a group
emotional contagion
automatically mimicking the emotions of others
Often Confused With
Infectious refers to any disease caused by germs, while contagious specifically means it spreads through contact with a person or object.
Usage Notes
While originally a medical term, 'contagious' is frequently used in a positive sense to describe emotions like 'joy' or 'enthusiasm' in everyday conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'contagious' only for bad things (diseases), but in English, it is very common to use it for positive emotions like laughter or energy.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'CON' in contagious as standing for 'Contact'. If you have contact with someone, the feeling or germ spreads.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'contagio', which comes from 'con-' (together) and 'tangere' (to touch).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western psychology, 'contagious yawning' is often discussed as a sign of social empathy and bonding.
Quick Quiz
The toddler was sent home from daycare because his skin rash was considered _______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: contagious
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
example
A1An example is a specific thing or person that shows what a group or a rule is like. It is used to help explain something more clearly so that others can understand it easily.
always
A1This word describes something that happens at all times or on every occasion. It is a frequency adverb used to talk about habits, permanent truths, or repeated actions.
result
A1A result is something that happens or exists because of something else that happened before. It is often used to describe the final score of a game, the grade on a test, or the outcome of a specific action.
reason
A1A reason is a cause or explanation for why something happens or why someone does something. It is the information that answers the question 'Why?'.
research
A1A detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding. It involves gathering facts and data to test a theory or solve a problem.
girl
A1A female child or a young female person from birth until she reaches adulthood. It is also commonly used to refer to a daughter or, in informal settings, to a young woman.
food
A1Food refers to any substance consumed by living organisms to provide nutritional support for the body. It can be of plant, animal, or fungal origin and contains essential nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
moment
A1A very short period of time or a specific point in time. It is often used to ask someone to wait briefly or to describe a significant event occurring right now.
himself
A1A reflexive pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject is a male person or animal previously mentioned. It is also used to emphasize that a specific man or boy did something personally or without help.
force
A1Force is the physical strength or energy that is used to push or pull an object. It can also refer to an organized group of people, such as the police or a military group.
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