infected

1 of 2

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

infected

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of infect

Examples of infected in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The disease, which spreads through bites and scratches from infected animals, is most commonly carried by bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks. — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Rabies spreads through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. — Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

But the virus can spread to people through the bites and scratches of an infected mammal. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

The virus kills one to three of every 1,000 children who become infected. — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from past participle of infect

First Known Use

Adjective

1534, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for infected

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