virus

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablebiologymedical

   A very small living thing that can enter the body and cause disease.

   Grammar: Countable: use 'a virus' or 'viruses'; the plural adds -es.

   Patterns

   • catch a virus
   • a virus spreads
   • a virus infects someone

   The child caught a virus at school and had a high fever for three days.

   Scientists are trying to find out how this virus spreads between people.

   A stomach virus kept half the office at home last week.

2. 2nouncountablecomputing

   A hidden computer program that copies itself and damages files or systems.

   Grammar: Countable: 'a virus', 'several viruses'; often used with 'computer' before it.

   Patterns

   • a computer virus
   • catch a virus
   • a virus infects a computer
   • scan for viruses

   A virus wiped all the photos from his laptop.

   You should scan the file for viruses before you open it.

   The email looked normal, but it carried a virus.

Word forms

Common combinations

catch a virus

She caught a virus on the plane and was ill for a week.

a virus spreads

The virus spread quickly through the crowded city.

a computer virus

A computer virus can delete your files in seconds.

fight a virus

Doctors are working hard to fight the new virus.

carry a virus

Some people carry the virus without feeling ill.

Synonyms and how they differ

germ

Everyday and less exact; it can mean any microorganism that causes illness, not just a virus.

bug

Informal and general; it often refers to a mild infection or a stomach illness.

infection

Names the illness or condition rather than the organism itself.

Word family

viral adjective

Caused by a virus, as in 'a viral infection'.

virology noun

The scientific study of viruses.

virologist noun

A scientist who studies viruses.

Commonly confused: virus or bacteria?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “virus”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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