# contagious

/kənˈteɪdʒəs/ (US) · /kəntˈeɪdʒəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/contagious
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. medical spreading

adjective · CEFR B2

describes a disease that you can catch by being near or touching an infected person.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. spreading emotions

adjective · CEFR B2

describes a feeling, like a laugh or a yawn, that quickly spreads to other people.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The flu is highly contagious, so stay home if you feel sick.
- Health officials warned that the new strain of the virus is significantly more contagious than previous versions.
- The speaker's enthusiasm proved contagious, quickly transforming a room of skeptical investors into a collective of eager supporters ready to fund the ambitious project.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.