Words / B1

in-FEKT/ɪnˈfekt/

To infect is to pass a disease to a person, animal, or plant: infect someone with a virus. Infection is the noun (already in the dictionary). Catch is everyday for the person who becomes ill. A computer virus can infect files — a common metaphor. Do not say “infect a cold to me”; say infect someone with, or everyday give someone a cold / catch a cold.

Meaning

To pass a disease to a person, animal, or plant.

Examples

• “The virus can infect people who have close contact.”
• “Close contact can infect the rest of the household within days.”
• “The worm infected the office network, which is the computer sense.”

Good to know

infect someone with + disease. Noun: infection. Everyday: catch / give someone a cold. Also: infect files (computers).

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