Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

viral

[vahy-ruhl]

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or caused by a virus.

  2. pertaining to or involving the spreading of information and opinions about a product or service from person to person, especially on the internet or in emails.

    a clever viral ad.

  3. becoming very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the internet.

    the most memorable viral videos;

    This book is already viral two weeks before its official publication date.

  4. pertaining to a computer virus.



viral

/ ˈɪə /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or caused by a virus

  2. (of a video, image, story, etc) spread quickly and widely among internet users via social networking sites, e-mail, etc

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • antiviral adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of viral1

First recorded in 1935–40; vir(us) + -al 1
Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. go viral, to spread rapidly via the internet, email, or other media.

    Footage of the candidate's off-color remarks went viral within minutes.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

This feud is the "perfect storm as it's built to go viral", and social media doesn't just fuel speculation, it manufactures and rewards it, he says.

From

Incidents over the days have included a brief blocking of the 101 Freeway, viral images of a Waymo vehicle on fire and incidents of vandalism and theft at businesses downtown, including in Little Tokyo.

From

But they have become a frequent sight in recent days, as anger has grown in response to viral videos of swift and violent apprehensions.

From

The rockers have recently had their first number one album and have developed a huge following with breakout viral hits - all while remaining anonymous behind custom-designed masks.

From

County sheriff’s deputies in response to protests over federal immigration actions has led to several viral incidents and raised questions about the role of local law enforcement in quelling the unrest.

From

Advertisement

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


viragoviral infection