epidemic

Pluralepidemics

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A disease that spreads quickly and affects many people across an area.

   Like a fire spreading through a dry forest, jumping from tree to tree.

   The flu epidemic kept many children home from school.

   Doctors worked for months to bring the epidemic under control.

   Similaroutbreak, plague

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Having to do with a disease that spreads widely among many people.

   The fever reached epidemic levels across the whole region.

   Doctors warned that the sickness was becoming epidemic.

   Similarwidespread, rampant

3. 3
   nouncolloquialcountable

   A sudden rise in something bad that affects many people.

   Like weeds taking over a garden until they are everywhere.

   The city is facing an epidemic of car thefts.

   There is an epidemic of bullying at some schools.

   Similarrash, spate, wave, plague, upsurge

   Note
4. 4
   adjectivefiguratively

   Spreading widely and quickly in a harmful way.

   Like a stain that keeps spreading until it covers the whole cloth.

   Cheating became epidemic in the online game.

   The school had an epidemic problem with vaping.

   Similarwidespread, common, prevalent, pervasive, rife

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable

   When a disease appears in many more people than usual over a short time.

   Like a flood that rises far higher than the river normally reaches.

   The measles epidemic spread through several towns last year.

   Scientists studied how the epidemic began and spread so fast.

   Similaroutbreak

   Note
6. 6
   nounfigurativelycountable

   The fast spread of an idea or belief through many people.

   Like a catchy song that everyone suddenly starts humming.

   The new slang spread through the town like an epidemic.

   There was an epidemic of optimism after the team's win.

   Similarcraze, wave, rash

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