infection
gb/ɪnfˈɛkʃən/ us/ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
B1
Inglés
~ 2500
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
B1
state
1
Illness from harmful microorganisms
When germs like bacteria or viruses get into the body and make you sick.
Patrón de uso:
an infection in [a body part]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'infection' with 'inflammation'; inflammation is swelling and redness, but not always caused by germs.
Sinónimos
contamination (Refers more generally to the presence of harmful substances or organisms, not necessarily causing illness.)
|
illness (A broader term for poor health, which can be caused by infection or other factors.)
Antónimos
immunity (The body's ability to resist or fight off infection.)
|
sterility (The state of being free from living microorganisms.)
Colocaciones
viral infection
|bacterial infection
|chest infection
|prevent infection
|spread of infection
Temas
health
|medicine
|science
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The doctor prescribed antibiotics for her ear infection.
- Good handwashing can help prevent the spread of infection.
- He was hospitalized due to a severe lung infection.
- The wound became red and swollen from infection.
- Vaccines can protect against certain types of infection.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I have a skin infection.
- She got an infection in her ear.
- The medicine will help fight the infection.
- Wash your hands to stop infection.
- He stayed home because of an infection.
Sustantivo
technical
B2
action
2
Spreading of harmful microorganisms
When germs move from one person or thing to another.
Patrón de uso:
infection of [someone/something] by [something]
Sinónimos
transmission (A broader term for passing something from one to another; not limited to germs.)
Antónimos
disinfection (The process of removing or killing harmful microorganisms.)
Colocaciones
risk of infection
|source of infection
|routes of infection
Temas
health
|medicine
|science
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Proper sterilization reduces the risk of infection during surgery.
- The infection of the herd was traced to contaminated feed.
- Hand hygiene is crucial to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The nurse works to stop infection in the hospital.
- The food was a source of infection.
- They try to stop infection between patients.
Sustantivo
informal
C1
event
3
Spread of feeling or behavior
When a feeling or way of acting spreads quickly from one person to another.
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse this figurative use with actual medical meaning; context usually makes it clear.
Sinónimos
contagion (Often used figuratively for rapid spread of ideas or feelings.)
Antónimos
containment (The act of stopping something from spreading.)
Colocaciones
infectious laughter
|spread like an infection
Temas
emotions
|social
|relationships
|communication
Ejemplos
- Her excitement was like an infection that spread through the whole team.
- The protest was driven by an infection of anger and hope.
- Laughter can be an emotional infection in a group setting.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Her smile was like an infection in the room.
- Laughter is like an infection.
- Their happiness was like an infection.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
infection
AFI
GB/ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
US/ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
Sílabas y acento
in - fec - tion (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fec)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: infection
- Plural: infection, infections
Familia de palabras
Forms
infections
noun
Core family
infect
verb B1
infectious
adjective B2
Related words
disinfect
verb
disinfection
noun
disinfectant
noun
Negative and opposite forms
noninfectious
adjective
Advanced or less common
infectiously
adverb
Expresiones
catch an infection
1/kˈæt͡ʃ ən ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
Become ill from microorganisms
To get sick because germs enter your body.
Ejemplos
- She caught an infection after swimming in the lake.
- You can catch an infection if you don’t wash your hands.
fight an infection
1/fˈaɪt ən ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
Resist harmful microorganisms in body
To try to make germs in your body go away so you get better.
Ejemplos
- Your immune system works to fight an infection.
- Antibiotics help fight an infection caused by bacteria.
resistant to infection
1/ɹɪzˈɪstənt tə ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Not easily harmed by microorganisms
Not easy for germs to make sick.
Ejemplos
- Some plants are naturally resistant to infection.
- Healthy skin is resistant to infection.
spread of infection
1/spɹˈɛd əv ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
Movement of harmful microorganisms
When germs move from one person or thing to another.
Ejemplos
- Masks can help slow the spread of infection.
- Hospitals work to control the spread of infection.