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

His family spent an agonizing week searching through morgues, hospitals and detention facilities before finally identifying his body among piles of corpses, also shown in the viral footage. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026

In September 2025, an unverified social media post claiming BLACKPINK wouldn't renew their contract after the tour went viral, generating millions of engagements. —Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Plus, score beauty gems like a Prada Eau de Parfum and a viral K-beauty skin care gadget. —Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 26 Jan. 2026

An Orange County woman was arrested on Monday after a now-viral video showed a baby falling out of a moving car last week. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 26 Jan. 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