Infect — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /in-ˈfekt/ in·fect

Meaning & Definition of Infect

Infect (verb)

  1. to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (such as bacteria)
  2. to communicate a pathogen or a disease to
  3. to invade (an individual or organ) usually by penetration

Infect (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to pass something harmful (such as a disease) to someone or something else

    "If you come to work when you're sick, you'll infect everyone in the office."

    similar: contaminate, poison, communicate, conduct, convey, give, impart, spread, transfer, transfuse, transmit, befoul, defile, foul, pollute, taint, begrime, besmirch, blacken, dirty, foul up, grime, mire, muddy, smirch, smudge, soil, stain, sully, corrupt, rot, spoil, adulterate, doctor, dilute, water down, broadcast, diffuse, disseminate, propagate, hand down, hand on, deliver, hand over, surrender, turn over
    opposite: disinfect, sanitize, sterilize, decontaminate, purify, catch, come down (with), contract, clarify, clean, cleanse, clear, distill, purge, filter

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Infect

The most common words with a similar meaning to Infect:

contaminate, poison, communicate, conduct, convey, give, impart, spread, transfer, transfuse, transmit, befoul, defile, foul, pollute, taint, begrime, besmirch, blacken, dirty, foul up, grime, mire, muddy, smirch, smudge, soil, stain, sully, corrupt, rot, spoil, adulterate, doctor, dilute, water down, broadcast, diffuse, disseminate, propagate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Infect

Words with the opposite meaning of Infect:

disinfect, sanitize, sterilize, decontaminate, purify, catch, come down (with), contract, clarify, clean, cleanse, clear, distill, purge, filter

Word Forms of Infect

Inflections: infected, infecting, infects

Derived words: infector (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Infect

Middle English infecten, enfecten "to inflict with disease, pollute, damage, corrupt," borrowed from Latin infectus, past participle of inficere "to dye, discolor, impregnate, taint, contaminate with disease," from in- in-:2 + facere "to make, bring about, perform, do" fact

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Infect

Words & Phrases Containing Infect

coinfection

Frequently Asked Questions about Infect

What does "Infect" mean?

"Infect" means to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (such as bacteria). As a verb, it is defined as: to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (such as bacteria).

What is another word for "Infect"?

Other words for "Infect" include contaminate, poison, communicate, conduct, convey, give, impart and spread. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Infect" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Infect"?

There are 46 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Infect". Common alternatives include contaminate, poison, communicate, conduct, convey, give, impart, spread, transfer and transfuse.

What is the opposite of "Infect"?

Antonyms of "Infect" include disinfect, sanitize, sterilize, decontaminate, purify, catch, come down (with) and contract.

How do you use "Infect" in a sentence?

Examples of "Infect" in a sentence: "If you come to work when you're sick, you'll infect everyone in the office.".

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

"Infect" is a verb.

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

As a C1-level word, "Infect" 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 "Infect"?

"Infect" is pronounced /in-ˈfekt/ and divided into syllables as in·fect.