# epidemic

/ˌɛpəˈdɛmɪk/ (US) · /ˌɛpɪdˈɛmɪk/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. outbreak of disease

noun · CEFR B2

a large number of people in a community catching the same disease at the same time.

For teachers: an outbreak of an infectious disease that spreads rapidly among many individuals in a population at a specific time.

- The city took quick action to stop the flu epidemic before schools opened.
- Public health officials monitored the cholera epidemic closely, implementing strict water sanitation protocols to curb the rising infection rate.

Usage: Often used with 'of' followed by the name of the disease.

### 2. spread of something bad

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

the sudden and quick spread of something harmful or unwanted, like crime or a bad habit.

For teachers: a sudden, widespread occurrence of a particular undesirable phenomenon or social problem.

- The town is facing an epidemic of car thefts this summer.
- Sociologists are investigating the current epidemic of loneliness among young adults living in major urban centres.

Usage: Commonly used in journalism to describe social crises.

### 3. widespread

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describing something that is spreading very fast and affecting many people.

For teachers: relating to or of the nature of an epidemic; extremely prevalent or widespread.

- The problem of fake news has reached epidemic proportions on social media.
- The corruption within the local government became epidemic, eventually leading to a complete overhaul of the administrative staff.

Usage: Usually precedes the noun it modifies.

## Examples

- The flu epidemic kept many children home from school.
- Health officials worked around the clock to contain the cholera epidemic before it reached the neighboring provinces.
- Sociologists argue that the current loneliness epidemic is a structural byproduct of urban design that prioritizes individual privacy over the spontaneous social interactions found in traditional communal spaces.

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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.