viral

adjective

vi·​ral ˈvī-rəl 

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

ˈvī-rə-lē 

adverb

virality

vī-ˈra-lə-tē 

noun

Examples of viral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lewisham agrees, advising customers to look past aesthetic packaging and viral trends. — Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

More recently, clips of Earl singing the song at the end of different tour stops — an ongoing bit at this point — went viral thanks to the never-ending stan wars between Kendrick and Drake fans. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2026

Cyclosporiasis cases are continuing to pop up across New York City as the nation battles a sharp increase of the infection, which has gone viral for its symptoms of explosive bowel movements. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

But covert foreign influence—secretive troll farms, hack-and-leaks, or viral deepfakes—remains a growth industry. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

vir(us) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing viral

• viral load
• viral marketing

Rhymes for viral

• chiral
• spiral
• adenoviral
• antiretroviral
• antiviral
• retroviral

Kids Definition

viral

adjective

vi·​ral ˈvī-rəl 

1

: of, relating to, or caused by a virus

a viral infection

2

: quickly and widely spread or popularized especially by person-to-person electronic communication

a viral video

Medical Definition

viral

adjective

vi·​ral ˈvī-rəl 

: of, relating to, or caused by a virus

viral infections

virally

-rə-lē 

adverb