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viral

adjective vi·ral \ ˈvī-rəl \
Updated on: 18 Apr 2018
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1 : of, relating to, or caused by a virus
  • a viral infection
2 : quickly and widely spread or popularized especially by means of social media
  • a viral video
—

virally

play \ˈvī-rə-lē\ adverb

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Recent Examples of viral from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'viral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of viral

1937

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
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Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

VIRAL Defined for English Language Learners

viral

adjective

  • : caused by a virus

  • : spreading very quickly to many people especially through the Internet

Medical Dictionary

viral

adjective vi·ral \ ˈvī-rəl \
: of, relating to, or caused by a virus
  • viral infections
—

virally

play \-rə-lē\ adverb

Learn More about viral

  1. See words that rhyme with viral Spanish Central: Translation of viral Nglish: Translation of viral for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of viral for Arabic speakers

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