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

However, if cashmere isn’t your knit of choice, Gap makes a stellar 100-percent cotton sweater that always goes viral and sells out every fall and COS’s Rounded Wool Crewneck features a thicker weave and more structured silhouette. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 20 Sep. 2026

And Michael Green, chief strategist and portfolio manager for Simplify Asset Management, wrote a viral Substack post last year arguing the real poverty line should be $140,000. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Videos taken by trolley riders have gone viral on social media, only adding to the appeal, according to Ekaete Ekwere, deputy director of the city’s Transportation and Mobility Department. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Her turn as Carly, the girlfriend to leading player Samir (Malik Elassal), in Adults has gone viral over the last month. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 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