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

The account went viral, and the couple even appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, introducing their mission and their beloved golden retriever to a national television audience. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026

Punch and his surrogate mother went viral and visitors flocked to the zoo to see him. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2026

The Apologies to the Queen Mary track recently went viral after being used in a pivotal scene of the HBO romance series Heated Rivalry. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Feb. 2026

Other awkward—and more viral—moments included OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei stealing the spotlight from Modi by refusing to hold hands for a photo op designed to be a show of unity and triumph. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Feb. 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