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

Social media has driven interest in these DIY events as artists playing ambient music against a backdrop of verdant green have gone viral on TikTok. — Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

This past Sunday, a week after Mississippi teen Nolan Wells was found dead following a July 4 boat trip, a photo of the teenager went viral. — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026

Earlier in her career, Guinane was a senior producer at viral-video company Jukin Media and was a producer and writer for Clevver Media. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 July 2026

Hosting a hot live auction is kind of like creating viral web content. — Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 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