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

The infected individual is older and has underlying health conditions, the agency said, noting they are being treated in a King County hospital. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025

Most human cases have occurred after coming into contact with infected cattle, infected poultry farms or other culling operations. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Nov. 2025

What happens to the infected when Carol becomes angry? —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Nov. 2025

An infected donor organ caused the delay, Kosar said in a video posted to his X account. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 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