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infect

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ɪnˈfɛkt/ · UK /ɪnˈfekt/

Forms: infected

infect means: To pass harmful germs to a person, animal, or body part, causing disease.

verb

SPREAD DISEASEB1

To pass harmful germs to a person, animal, or body part, causing disease.

  • The virus can infect anyone.
  • Bacteria infected the cut on his hand.
  • Could one sick bird infect the whole flock?

How to use it: infect someone with something (The mosquito infected him with malaria.); be infected with something (Several patients were infected with the virus.)

Common phrases: infect someone, infect a wound, infect someone with something, infect healthy cells

SPREAD FEELINGC1

To make other people share a feeling, interest, or excitement.

  • His excitement infected us all.
  • Her cheerful mood soon infected the team.
  • He had infected his friends with a passion for sailing.

How to use it: infect someone with something (She infected us with her enthusiasm for gardening.)

Similar words: influence, inspire

Common phrases: infect someone with enthusiasm, infect the crowd, infect the team

Questions about infect

What does infect mean?

To pass harmful germs to a person, animal, or body part, causing disease.

What is infect in other languages?

Türkçe: enfekte etmek · Español: infectar · Français: infecter · Deutsch: infizieren · Italiano: infettare · 日本語: 感染させる

How do you pronounce infect?

In American English /ɪnˈfɛkt/; in British English /ɪnˈfekt/.

How do you use infect in a sentence?

The virus can infect anyone. Bacteria infected the cut on his hand.

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infect in other languages

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