adjective
contagious
kun-TAY-jus/kənˈteɪdʒəs/
Readily transmitted from one person to another.
The coworkers keep their distance because their colds are contagious.
Etymology
Contagio meant contact, especially contact with something unclean. The adjective carries that image into disease: something contagious can pass from one person or organism to another.
In context
chickenpox is a highly contagious disease which means that somebody who has it can quickly spread it to others
More examples
- Measles is a highly contagious disease.
- You may still be contagious after your fever goes away.
- Her laughter is contagious, and soon everyone joins in.
Forms
contagious · more contagious · most contagious
contagion noun — The spread of disease between people.
Similar words
- infectious
- Also describes organisms or materials capable of causing infection.
- transmissible
- Describes what can spread, without implying it spreads easily.