Meaning & use
uninfect
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitivecomputing
to remove a virus or harmful software from a computer or device
Grammar: Takes an object: uninfect a computer. Often used in the passive: the file was uninfected.
Patterns
- uninfect a computer
- uninfect a file
- uninfect a device
- be uninfected
The technician used a special tool to uninfect the laptop.
You should uninfect your phone before connecting it to the office network.
The antivirus program can uninfect most files, but some are too damaged to repair.
verbtransitivemedicalrare
to make a person, animal, or place free from a disease-causing germ
Grammar: Takes an object: uninfect a wound. Rare in general English; more common in scientific writing.
Patterns
- uninfect a wound
- uninfect a patient
- uninfect a surface
The new cream is designed to uninfect minor cuts quickly.
Researchers tried to uninfect the lab animals before the experiment.
It is difficult to uninfect a whole hospital ward during an outbreak.
Word forms
| third person singular | uninfects |
|---|---|
| past tense | uninfected |
| past participle | uninfected |
| present participle | uninfecting |
Common combinations
- uninfect a computer
- It took an hour to uninfect the computer after the attack.
- uninfect a file
- The software can uninfect a file without deleting it.
- uninfect a device
- You must uninfect the device before selling it.
- uninfect a wound
- Doctors used antibiotics to uninfect the wound.
Synonyms and how they differ
- clean
- More common in computing; 'clean a computer' means remove viruses, but 'clean' has many other meanings too.
- disinfect
- Used for killing germs on surfaces or objects, not for removing computer viruses.
Opposites
Word family
- infection noun
- The process of becoming infected or the disease itself.
- infectious adjective
- Able to spread from one person or device to another.
- infected adjective
- Containing a virus or germ.
Commonly confused: uninfect or disinfect?
uninfect vs disinfect
'Disinfect' means clean something to kill germs, usually on surfaces. 'Uninfect' means remove a virus or infection that is already there, often in computing.
Practice
After the malware attack, the IT team worked all night to _____ the office computers.
Choose one answer.
'Uninfect' is the right choice because it means remove malware from computers. 'Disinfect' is about killing germs on surfaces, not removing software viruses.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “uninfect”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.