contagious
gb/kəntˈeɪd͡ʒəs/ us/kəntˈeɪd͡ʒəs/
B2
English
fertőző, ragadós
B2
1
fertőző
B1
Usage pattern:
[a contagious disease/virus/infection]; [someone] is contagious; contagious to [someone]
Measles is highly contagious and can spread quickly in schools.
A kanyaró nagyon fertőző, és gyorsan terjedhet az iskolákban.
You may still be contagious for several days after your symptoms disappear.
A tüneteid elmúlása után még több napig is fertőző lehetsz.
The doctor said the rash was not contagious, so I could return to work.
Learner examples
The flu is contagious.
Az influenza fertőző.
Stay home if you are contagious.
Maradj otthon, ha fertőző vagy.
Common mistake:
Use “contagious to others” or “a contagious disease,” not “contagious for others disease.”
Meaning
Easily spread as disease
Collocations
contagious disease
|highly contagious
|contagious virus
|contagious infection
|contagious illness
|contagious person
|contagious stage
|remain contagious
|become contagious
|contagious to others
Synonyms
infectious (Very close in general use; often more medical and can refer to diseases caused by microorganisms.)
|
communicable (More formal or public-health term for a disease that can be passed on.)
|
transmissible (More technical; emphasizes that something can be transmitted.)
Antonyms
noncontagious (Not able to spread from one person or animal to another.)
|
noninfectious (Not caused by or spread as an infection.)
Themes
health
|illness
|medicine
|public_health
Definition
If a disease or person is contagious, the disease can spread to other people.
Able to spread from one person or animal to another; used of diseases and of people or animals that can pass a disease to others.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[a contagious laugh/smile/enthusiasm/mood]
Her laughter was so contagious that the whole room joined in.
Annyira ragadós volt a nevetése, hogy a szobában mindenki nevetni kezdett.
The coach’s confidence was contagious, and the team started to believe they could win.
Az edző magabiztossága ragadós volt, és a csapat kezdett hinni abban, hogy nyerhetnek.
Panic can be contagious in a crowded place.
Learner examples
His smile is contagious.
Ragadós a mosolya.
Her excitement was contagious.
Ragadós volt a lelkesedése.
Common mistake:
This figurative use is often positive, as in “a contagious smile,” but it can also be used for negative emotions such as fear or panic.
Meaning
Feeling spreading to others
Collocations
contagious laugh
|contagious laughter
|contagious smile
|contagious enthusiasm
|contagious energy
|contagious optimism
|contagious excitement
|contagious mood
|contagious confidence
|contagious fear
Synonyms
infectious (Very close figurative synonym, especially for laughter, enthusiasm, or a smile.)
|
catching (More informal and less common; suggests others quickly start doing or feeling the same thing.)
|
irresistible (Emphasizes that people cannot easily avoid responding, rather than literal spreading.)
Antonyms
uninspiring (Does not make other people feel interested, excited, or motivated.)
|
dampening (Reduces energy, excitement, or confidence instead of spreading it.)
Themes
emotions
|behavior
|social_interaction
|communication
Definition
A contagious feeling or action makes other people start to feel or do the same thing.
Likely to make other people feel, think, or behave in a similar way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
contagious
IPA
GB/kəntˈeɪd͡ʒəs/
US/kəntˈeɪd͡ʒəs/
Syllables & stress
con - ta - gious (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ta)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: contagious
Expressions
contagious disease
1/kəntˈeɪd͡ʒəs dɪzˈiz/
fixed phrase
Disease that spreads
An illness that people or animals can pass to each other.
Examples
- Vaccination helps stop contagious diseases from spreading.
- Schools often ask parents to report contagious diseases such as measles or chickenpox.
Learner examples
- Measles is a contagious disease.
contagious enthusiasm
1/kəntˈeɪd͡ʒəs ɪnθˈuziˌæzəm/
fixed phrase
Enthusiasm that spreads
Strong excitement or interest that makes other people excited too.
Examples
- The teacher’s contagious enthusiasm made the class excited about science.
- Her contagious enthusiasm brought new energy to the project.
Learner examples
- His enthusiasm for music is contagious.
contagious laughter
1/kəntˈeɪd͡ʒəs lˈæftɚ/
fixed phrase
Laughter that spreads
Laughter that makes other people laugh.
Examples
- His contagious laughter made everyone at the table laugh.
- Soon the contagious laughter spread through the audience.
Learner examples
- Her contagious laughter made me laugh too.
contagious smile
1/kəntˈeɪd͡ʒəs smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
Smile that spreads happiness
A smile that makes other people smile too.
Examples
- She greeted every customer with a contagious smile.
- His contagious smile helped ease the tension in the room.
Learner examples
- My little brother has a contagious smile.
contagious yawning
1/kəntˈeɪd͡ʒəs jˈɔnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Yawning triggered by others
Yawning because another person yawned.
Examples
- Contagious yawning can happen even when you are not tired.
- Researchers study why people experience contagious yawning after seeing someone else yawn.
Learner examples
- I saw him yawn, and then I yawned too; it was contagious yawning.
highly contagious
1/hˈaɪli kəntˈeɪd͡ʒəs/
fixed phrase
Very easy to spread
Very easy to catch from another person.
Examples
- Norovirus is highly contagious, so the school cleaned every classroom carefully.
- Children with chickenpox are highly contagious before the spots have completely crusted over.
Learner examples
- This virus is highly contagious.