Contagious
/kənˈteɪdʒəs/
Definitions
2 meaningsCapable of spreading disease or influence from one person or thing to another.
/kənˈteɪdʒəs/
Capable of being transmitted from one person or organism to another by contact or close proximity.
The measles is a highly contagious disease.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend has a really bad cold, and if you get too close, you might catch it too! Contagious things are easily passed from one person to another, like a yawn or a feeling.
👶 For kids: If something is contagious, it means it can be passed from one person to another, like a cold or a laugh!
More Examples
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and soon the whole team was excited about the project.
He was quarantined because he had a contagious illness.
How It's Used
"The doctor warned that the flu was highly contagious this season."
"His laughter was so contagious that everyone in the room started smiling."
Having the characteristic of spreading or transmitting something, not only diseases, but also a mood, behavior, or feeling.
/kənˈteɪdʒəs/
Describing a feeling, mood, or behavior likely to spread to and affect others.
The singer's joy was contagious, and the audience cheered.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, a feeling or emotion can spread around just like a cold. When something makes you feel something, and it spreads and makes others feel the same way, that's contagious. Think about laughing or smiling.
👶 For kids: Sometimes a feeling can spread to other people! Like, if someone is giggling, you might start giggling too! That's like a contagious feeling!
More Examples
His contagious enthusiasm inspired everyone.
Her negativity was, unfortunately, contagious, and the meeting ended on a sour note.
How It's Used
"Her excitement was contagious, and everyone in the room became more energetic."
"The team's success generated a contagious feeling of optimism across the entire company."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
contagious enthusiasm
Enthusiasm that easily spreads to others.
"The new project was a huge success because of the team leader's contagious enthusiasm."
From Latin *contāgiōsus* meaning 'communicable by contact', derived from *contāgō* ('a touching, a contact'), from *tangere* ('to touch').
Historically used primarily in medical contexts, but its usage expanded to describe the spread of emotions or behaviors in the 20th century.
Memory tip
Think of a cough that easily spreads to others.
Word Origin
"to touch"