Word
contagious
Phoneticscon·ta·gious, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈteɪdʒəs/
UK/kəntˈeɪdʒəs/
Definitions
01medical spreading
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine
adj. describes a disease that you can catch by being near or touching an infected person.
adj. capable of being transmitted by infection or direct contact. Often used to describe the disease itself or the person carrying it.
“The doctor said he is still contagious, so he should stay home from school.”
“Public health officials warned that the new strain of the virus is highly contagious, requiring stricter quarantine measures for those exposed.”
Pitfall
He is contagious of the flu.
He is contagious with the flu.
Use 'with' to specify the illness, or simply say 'he is contagious' to mean he can spread it.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02spreading emotions
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describes a feeling, like a laugh or a yawn, that quickly spreads to other people.
adj. tending to spread from person to person through social contact or imitation; used figuratively for emotions, moods, or behaviours.
“Her laughter was contagious, and soon the whole room was giggling.”
“The captain's sense of calm proved contagious, steadying the nerves of the younger players as they entered the final minutes of the match.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The state has seen 393 cases of the highly contagious virus this year, as infections across the US have hit the highest point in 35 years.” “The condition is contagious and zoonotic and can be difficult to detect.” Etymology
From Old French contagieus, from Late Latin contagiosus, from contagio.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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