infected

adjective

in·​fect·​ed in-ˈfek-təd 

: having an infection : contaminated with an infective agent (such as a bacterium or virus)

an infected wound

Through a number of different means, these viruses persist at very low, hard-to-detect levels in infected cells.

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

She explains that leptospirosis bacteria are shed in the urine of infected animals.

—Tania Banak

The fungus produces as many as 1 million conidia per square centimeter of infected leaf surface.

—G. B. Lucas

Examples of infected in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After initial infection, the virus lies dormant in the brain and, eventually, can lead to the destruction of infected brain cells. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

The Deadly Kissing Bug, or an infected triatomine insect, are infected by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025

With measles, viral particles emitted by coughing or sneezing can linger in a room for hours after the infected person has left. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2025

Blaze, 4 years old, was dropped off outside the shelter in a carrier with an infected eye that needed to be removed. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of infect

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for infected

• affected
• bisected
• collected
• connected
• corrected
• defected
• deflected
• dejected
• detected
• directed
• dissected
• effected