Epidemic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˌe-pə-ˈde-mik/ ep·i·dem·ic

Meaning & Definition of Epidemic

Epidemic (adjective)

  1. affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time
  2. excessively prevalent
  3. contagious

Epidemic (noun)

  1. an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many individuals at the same time, an outbreak of epidemic disease
  2. an outbreak or product of sudden rapid spread, growth, or development

Epidemic (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in pandemic

    similar: pandemic, pest, pestilence, plague, murrain, affection, affliction, ailment, contagion, illness, infection, infirmity, malady, sickness, blight, curse, scourge

  2. as in explosion, eruption

    similar: eruption, explosion, paroxysm, boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn, deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley, burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst, spurt, commotion, furor, uproar, recrudescence, recurrence, renewal
    opposite: calm, doldrums, slump

Epidemic (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others

    "the little girl's giggles were epidemic, and soon the entire gathering was laughing"

    similar: catching, contagious, infectious, spreading
    related: palpable, perceptible, tangible, irresistible, overpowering, overwhelming, disarming, endearing, fetching, inviting, winning, winsome

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Epidemic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Epidemic:

pandemic, pest, pestilence, plague, murrain, affection, affliction, ailment, contagion, illness, infection, infirmity, malady, sickness, blight, curse, scourge, eruption, explosion, paroxysm, boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn, deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley, burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Epidemic

Words with the opposite meaning of Epidemic:

calm, doldrums, slump

Related Words for Epidemic

palpable, perceptible, tangible, irresistible, overpowering, overwhelming, disarming, endearing, fetching, inviting, winning, winsome

Word Forms of Epidemic

Derived words: epidemical (adjective), epidemically (adverb), epidemicity (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Epidemic

borrowed from French épidémique, going back to Middle French, from epidemie "disease affecting a large number of individuals" + -ique -ic:1; Middle French epidemie, earlier epydimie, borrowed from Medieval Latin epidēmia, derivative (from feminine singular or neuter plural) of Late Latin epidēmius "widespread, prevalent (of a disease)," borrowed from Greek epidḗmios "within the country, among the people, prevalent (of a disease)," from epi- epi- + -dēmios, adjective derivative of dêmos "district, country, people" demo-

First known use: 1603

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Epidemic

Words & Phrases Containing Epidemic

epidemic curve, inter-epidemic

Frequently Asked Questions about Epidemic

What does "Epidemic" mean?

"Epidemic" means affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Epidemic"?

Other words for "Epidemic" include pandemic, pest, pestilence, plague, murrain, affection, affliction and ailment. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Epidemic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Epidemic"?

There are 63 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Epidemic". Common alternatives include pandemic, pest, pestilence, plague, murrain, affection, affliction, ailment, contagion and illness.

What is the opposite of "Epidemic"?

Antonyms of "Epidemic" include calm, doldrums and slump.

How do you use "Epidemic" in a sentence?

Examples of "Epidemic" in a sentence: "the little girl's giggles were epidemic, and soon the entire gathering was laughing".

Is "Epidemic" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Epidemic" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Epidemic" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Epidemic" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Epidemic"?

"Epidemic" is pronounced /ˌe-pə-ˈde-mik/ and divided into syllables as ep·i·dem·ic.