Meaning & Definition of word "Infected"

Infected

/ɪnˈfɛktɪd/

verb:

  • 1. Past tense of infect; to have caused someone or something to become contaminated with a disease.
    • Example: He infected others with his contagious illness during the party.
  • 2. To have introduced a harmful element into a system, like malware.
    • Example: The hacker infected the network with a virus that caused significant disruptions.

adjective:

  • 1. Having been contaminated with a disease-causing agent, such as a virus or bacteria.
    • Example: The doctor confirmed that the patient was infected with the flu virus.
  • 2. Having a computer system or program compromised by malicious software.
    • Example: The IT department found that several computers were infected with ransomware.

Etymology

Late Latin 'infectus', from 'inficere' meaning to stain or dye.

Common Phrases and Expressions

infected with something:

Being influenced or affected by a negative idea or disease.

infected site:

A location in the body showing signs of infection.

infected blood:

Blood that carries pathogens that can cause disease.

Related Words

infection:

The invasion of the body by pathogenic organisms.

infect:

To affect a person or organism with a disease-causing agent.

infectious:

Capable of causing infection.

Slang Meanings of infected

Meaning: To be overwhelmed or excessively influenced by something.

Example Sentence: She was so infected with wanderlust that she booked a ticket to Bali.

Meaning: To be affected by a trend or meme.

Example Sentence: That viral dance challenge is so infected right now!