contagious

USAGE SUMMARY

"contagious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is spreading quickly, especially something like an illness or a feeling. For example: "The enthusiasm of the crowd was contagious, and soon everyone was cheering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Viggo's animation and enthusiasm as he talks about the film are contagious.

The Guardian - Film

The vaqueros had ridden about 30 miles that day and their euphoria on returning home was contagious.

The Guardian - Travel

They are bigger, stronger and less prone to contagious infection.

The Economist

The Americans also worry that the anti-GM stance is contagious.

The Economist

While infectious and contagious diseases are the most obvious hazard, it is now recognised that the urban environment also has a major part to play in chronic illness.

The Guardian

Polio, a highly contagious viral disease that causes lifelong paralysis or even death, has been the target of massive education and child vaccination campaigns in several countries.

The Guardian

"If you don't detect that first case, you run the risk of people who are contagious staying in the community without being reported – and that's when you run the risk of an epidemic".

The Guardian

Though tobacco use is not an infectious epidemic, it has a lot in common with contagious illnesses – we know how to prevent the spread of the disease (effective measures that discouraging smoking) and yet the disease continues to evolve (tobacco corporations adopt new strategies to make smoking attractive).

The Guardian

"Democracies ought to be trying to make democracy contagious," he said, adding that he was full of admiration for the campaigners.

The Guardian

Expressions of congratulatory warmth were extended at arm's length, with fearful looks, as if I'd just been found to have a contagious tapeworm.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Good riddance Protect and survive Spam in the fridge The Richard Casement internship Reprints Related topics Biology Southern Sudan Guinea Contagious and infectious diseases Health and fitnessDracunculiasis is rarely fatal, but it is debilitating.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the spread of ideas or emotions, ensure that using "contagious" accurately reflects the rapid and easily transmitted nature of the phenomenon.

Common error

Avoid using "contagious" to describe something that is merely popular or widespread but not actually transmitted from person to person, as this weakens the impact of the word. Reserve its use for situations where a direct transfer or influence is implied.

Linguistic Context

The word "contagious" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something capable of spreading rapidly, either literally, like a disease, or figuratively, like an emotion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "contagious" is an adjective used to describe something that spreads rapidly, like a disease or an emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide acceptance. It's commonly found in news reports and scientific articles, denoting ease and speed of transmission. While synonyms like "infectious" and "transmissible" exist, "contagious" often implies a higher rate of spread. When using "contagious", ensure it accurately reflects the transmissible nature of the described phenomenon, avoiding overuse in contexts where the spread is not a key aspect. It's a versatile term applicable across various registers, from formal scientific discussions to informal conversations, as long as the context of transmission is present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infectious

Focuses specifically on the transmission of disease.

transmissible

Highlights the ability to be passed from one to another.

catching

Implies easy transmission, often informally used for illnesses or behaviors.

spreadable

Emphasizes the capacity to disseminate widely.

communicable

Refers to diseases that can be transmitted between individuals.

rampant

Suggests widespread and uncontrolled spread.

pervasive

Indicates a widespread presence or influence.

diffusive

Describes the tendency to spread out or scatter.

epidemical

Related to widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

viral

Modern slang meaning to spread rapidly and widely, usually on the internet.

FAQs

How is "contagious" typically used in a sentence?

"Contagious" is usually used to describe something, like a disease or emotion, that spreads quickly and easily from one person to another. For example, "The flu is highly contagious" or "Her laughter was contagious".

What are some synonyms for "contagious"?

Some synonyms for "contagious" include "infectious", "transmissible", and "catching". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it accurate to describe a trend as "contagious"?

Yes, the term "contagious" can be used metaphorically to describe a trend that spreads rapidly and widely. This usage implies that the trend is being 'passed on' from person to person, similar to how a disease spreads.

What's the difference between "contagious" and "infectious"?

While often used interchangeably, "contagious" generally implies a higher rate or ease of transmission than "infectious". Something that is contagious spreads very quickly and easily, whereas something infectious simply has the ability to cause infection.