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

Pulley and his story went viral after he was recorded making a delivery to Brittany Smith, who shared her doorbell camera footage online and with Storyful. —Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026

The viral video of immigration agents arresting a woman in front of a crying child at San Francisco International Airport may have ties to Sacramento, though details about the woman’s residency remain unclear. —Mathew Miranda updated March 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026

In the past few years, magnesium supplements have gone viral in social media wellness circles. —Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 23 Mar. 2026

When ‘Going Viral’ Meant Something Different Without algorithms pushing content, viral videos in 2006 spread purely through word of mouth and link sharing. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 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