Word
viral
Phoneticsvi·ral, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈvaɪɹəɫ/
UK/vˈaɪəɹəl/
Definitions
01internet popularity
B2 · Upper Intermediate Computing Informal
adj. describes a video, photo, or story that spreads very quickly across the internet as people share it.
adj. relating to or involving the rapid, exponential spread of information or content via social media and peer-to-peer sharing.
“The video of the dancing cat went viral and got millions of views in just one day.”
“The marketing team hoped the short documentary would go viral, generating organic brand awareness without the need for a traditional advertising budget.”
02medical
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine Technical
adj. caused by or relating to a virus, which is a tiny living thing that can make you sick.
adj. pertaining to, caused by, or of the nature of a biological virus.
“The doctor said it was a viral infection, so antibiotics would not help.”
“Researchers are investigating the long-term effects of various viral strains on the human immune system to better prepare for future outbreaks.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03marketing
C1 · Advanced Computing Academic
adj. a way of selling things where customers tell their friends about a product.
adj. relating to a marketing strategy that relies on individuals to pass on a marketing message to others.
“The company used viral marketing to create a lot of excitement before the phone was even released.”
“The success of the campaign was attributed to its clever use of viral loops, encouraging each new user to invite several others from their contact list.”
Synonyms
04a popular post
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Computing Informal
n. an image or video that has become very popular online.
n. a piece of digital content that has been circulated rapidly and widely from one internet user to another.
“She was surprised when her simple drawing became a viral overnight.”
“The agency specialises in creating virals that look like amateur footage to increase their chances of being shared organically.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “viral” in context.
Real-World Examples
“The viral, no-frills meal prep trend of meat and rice is popular among gym bros.” “Wells went missing on 4 July and a photo of the teen, who was Black, and his three friends on the trip, who were white, went viral.” “Burgdorfer made the connection that the disease wasn’t viral but rather vector-based when he identified spirochetes as the disease’s causative agent in 1981, seven years after Lyme disease was first discovered in Connecticut.” Etymology
From virus + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/viral