ENGLISH
REFERENCE

infected

adj. · n.
US //ˌɪnˈfɛktɪd// UK //ɪnfˈɛktɪd// in·fect·ed
  1. 1 biological disease (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    containing germs or bacteria that cause a disease or illness.

    containing or affected by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

    Example

    You should clean the cut on your finger so it doesn't become infected.

    Example

    The surgeon expressed concern that the wound had become severely infected, requiring an immediate course of intravenous antibiotics to prevent sepsis.
  2. 2 computer virus (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    containing a harmful program or virus that can damage a computer.

    containing a malicious software program or virus designed to damage or disrupt a digital system.

    Example

    The IT department warned us not to open the infected email attachment.

    Example

    Once the infected file was executed, the malware spread rapidly across the local network, encrypting sensitive data on several workstations.
  3. 3 people with a disease (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    people who have caught a specific disease.

    individuals who have been contaminated by a pathogen; often used as a collective noun in medical or fictional contexts.

    Example

    The hospital set up a separate area to treat the infected.

    Example

    Public health officials struggled to track the movements of the infected during the early stages of the respiratory outbreak.
    • uninfected

Last updated June 19, 2026