virus
gb/vˈaɪɹəs/ us/vˈaɪɹəs/
B1
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Microscopic infectious organism
A tiny germ that can make people, animals, or plants sick and can only grow inside living cells.
Usage pattern:
[virus] infects [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'virus' with 'bacteria'. Viruses are not living cells and cannot survive without a host, unlike bacteria.
Synonyms
pathogen (A general term for any organism or agent that causes disease; broader than 'virus'.)
Antonyms
antivirus (A protective program or agent that fights against viruses, especially in computing.)
Collocations
spread of the virus
|catch a virus
|virus infection
|deadly virus
|computer virus
Themes
science
|health
|medicine
Examples
- The flu is caused by an influenza virus.
- Scientists are working on a vaccine to stop the spread of the virus.
- The virus can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing.
- This virus affects mainly young children.
- The new strain of the virus is highly contagious.
Learner examples
- I have a cold because I caught a virus.
- The doctor said the virus is not dangerous.
- A virus can make you feel sick.
- Viruses are too small to see without a microscope.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
2
Malicious self-replicating computer program
Bad computer code that can make copies of itself and harm your computer or files.
Usage pattern:
[virus] infects [a computer/system]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'virus' with 'bug'. A bug is an error in software, while a virus is harmful code that spreads.
Synonyms
malware (General term for any malicious software; includes viruses but also other types like worms and trojans.)
Antonyms
antivirus (Software designed to detect and remove computer viruses.)
Collocations
spread of the virus
|virus protection
|computer virus attack
|remove a virus
Themes
technology
|computing
Examples
- The company’s network was shut down by a computer virus.
- Make sure your antivirus software is up to date to prevent viruses.
- This email attachment may contain a dangerous virus.
- Hackers used a virus to steal sensitive information.
Learner examples
- My laptop has a virus.
- You need antivirus software to stop viruses.
- A virus can delete your files.
- The email had a virus in it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
virus
IPA
GB/vˈaɪɹəs/
US/vˈaɪɹəs/
Syllables & stress
vir - us (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vir)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: virus
- Plural: viruses
Word family
Forms
viruses
noun
Core family
viral
adjective B2
Related words
antiviral
adjective
Advanced or less common
virology
noun
virologist
noun
Expressions
catch a virus
1/kˈæt͡ʃ ə vˈaɪɹəs/
fixed phrase
Become infected with a virus
To get sick because a virus entered your body.
Examples
- I think I caught a virus at work.
- She caught a virus while traveling abroad.
spread of the virus
1/spɹˈɛd əv ðə vˈaɪɹəs/
fixed phrase
Process of virus transmission
How a virus moves from one person, animal, plant, or computer to another.
Examples
- Wearing masks can slow the spread of the virus.
- The spread of the virus was faster than expected.
computer virus
1/kəmpjˈutɚ vˈaɪɹəs/
fixed phrase
technical
Malicious software for computers
A bad program that can harm your computer or delete information.
Examples
- Her laptop was infected with a computer virus.
- A computer virus infected all the machines in the office.
- Computer viruses can spread through email attachments.
- He downloaded an antivirus program to protect against computer viruses.