Definition of contagious
1 : transmissible by direct or indirect contact with an infected person contagious diseases
2 : bearing contagion contagious people
3 : used for contagious diseases a contagious ward
4 : exciting similar emotions or conduct in others contagious enthusiasm contagious laughter
contagiously
adverbcontagiousness
nounFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of contagious in a Sentence
It's a highly contagious virus.
I have a cold and I'm still contagious.
I'm sick, but the doctor says I'm not contagious.
Recent Examples of contagious from the Web
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Those with the virus typically remain contagious for a few days, and sometimes much longer, after symptoms disappear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus, yet a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available.
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But, canine flu is extremely contagious and the most susceptible are the most social — dogs frequenting kennels, doggie daycare or dog parks.
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Fifth Disease is contagious and occurs in geographic clusters.
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The virus is highly contagious, but the mortality rate is low, officials said.
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Florida has its first outbreak of a highly contagious strain of dog flu that appeared in the U.S. in 2015, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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Justin Mount, a representative for U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., recalled the words of Donnelly and others at Winey's funeral in remembering the young man as someone whose spirit for life and adventure was contagious.
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Energy in group classes is contagious and while everyone has individual goals, the overall goal is to get though the workout, not outperform anyone else.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contagious'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of contagious
see contagion
First Known Use: 14th century
CONTAGIOUS Defined for English Language Learners
contagious
playDefinition of contagious for English Language Learners
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: able to be passed from one person or animal to another by touching
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: having a sickness that can be passed to someone else by touching
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: capable of being easily spread to others : causing other people to feel or act a similar way
CONTAGIOUS Defined for Kids
contagious
playDefinition of contagious for Students
1 : able to be passed from one individual to another through contact a contagious disease
2 : having a sickness that can be passed to someone else
3 : causing other people to feel or act a similar way a contagious laugh
Medical Dictionary
contagious
playMedical Definition of contagious
1: communicable by contact tuberculosis in the contagious stage—compare infectious 2
2: bearing contagion many persons…are contagious long before they are aware of the presence of their disease—Journal of the American Medical Association
3: used for contagious diseases a contagious ward
contagiously
adverbcontagiousness
nounLearn More about contagious
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See words that rhyme with contagious Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for contagious Spanish Central: Translation of contagious Nglish: Translation of contagious for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of contagious for Arabic speakers
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