# viral

Pronunciation: US say "VY-ruhl" /ˈvaɪɹəl/; UK

## Adjective

1. Spread rapidly and widely across the internet as users share the content with one another.
   - Simple: Shared so quickly online that huge numbers of people see it in a short time.
   - _The clip went viral after a few celebrities reposted it._
   - _A single viral post can reshape a small brand's reputation in days._
2. Caused by infection with a virus, as opposed to infection by bacteria or other organisms.
   - Simple: Caused by a virus, a germ too small to see that makes people sick.
   - _The doctor confirmed the rash was viral rather than allergic._
   - _Viral pneumonia can be harder to treat than the bacterial form._
3. Relating to or characteristic of a biological virus, including its structure, genes, or behavior.
   - Simple: Having to do with a virus, the tiny germ that can cause illness.
   - _Researchers mapped the viral genome to understand how it replicates._
   - _The viral coat protein helps the particle attach to host cells._
4. Spread mainly by word of mouth with little direct effort, in order to create buzz and interest.
   - Simple: Spread mostly by people telling and sharing it with each other, with little help from ads.
   - _The brand launched a viral campaign built around a single shareable video._
   - _Marketers favor viral strategies because word of mouth costs almost nothing._
5. Behaving like a computer virus, able to spread copies of itself to other computers.
   - Simple: Able to copy itself and spread from one computer to another, like a computer virus.
   - _The worm showed viral behavior, replicating across the network overnight._
   - _Security software flagged the viral code before it could spread further._

## Noun

6. A video, image, or piece of text spread widely online or by email for humorous, political, or marketing purposes.
   - Simple: A video, picture, or message that lots of people share online for fun or to spread an idea.
   - _The agency's latest viral racked up ten million views in a week._
   - _She posted a viral that quickly spread across every platform._

## Origin

Formed from "virus" combined with the suffix "-al".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/viral (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).