infection
gb/ɪnfˈɛkʃən/ us/ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
B1
Inglês
~ 2500
Acepções
0 acepção
Substantivo
B1
state
1
Illness from harmful microorganisms
When germs like bacteria or viruses get into the body and make you sick.
Padrão de uso:
an infection in [a body part]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'infection' with 'inflammation'; inflammation is swelling and redness, but not always caused by germs.
Sinônimos
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.)
Antônimos
immunity (The body's ability to resist or fight off infection.)
|
sterility (The state of being free from living microorganisms.)
Colocações
viral infection
|bacterial infection
|chest infection
|prevent infection
|spread of infection
Temas
health
|medicine
|science
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para estudantes
- 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.
Substantivo
technical
B2
action
2
Spreading of harmful microorganisms
When germs move from one person or thing to another.
Padrão de uso:
infection of [someone/something] by [something]
Sinônimos
transmission (A broader term for passing something from one to another; not limited to germs.)
Antônimos
disinfection (The process of removing or killing harmful microorganisms.)
Colocações
risk of infection
|source of infection
|routes of infection
Temas
health
|medicine
|science
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para estudantes
- The nurse works to stop infection in the hospital.
- The food was a source of infection.
- They try to stop infection between patients.
Substantivo
informal
C1
event
3
Spread of feeling or behavior
When a feeling or way of acting spreads quickly from one person to another.
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse this figurative use with actual medical meaning; context usually makes it clear.
Sinônimos
contagion (Often used figuratively for rapid spread of ideas or feelings.)
Antônimos
containment (The act of stopping something from spreading.)
Colocações
infectious laughter
|spread like an infection
Temas
emotions
|social
|relationships
|communication
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para estudantes
- Her smile was like an infection in the room.
- Laughter is like an infection.
- Their happiness was like an infection.
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
infection
AFI
GB/ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
US/ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
Sílabas e tonicidade
in - fec - tion (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fec)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: infection
- Plural: infection, infections
Família de palavras
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
Expressões
catch an infection
1/kˈæt͡ʃ ən ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
Become ill from microorganisms
To get sick because germs enter your body.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- Masks can help slow the spread of infection.
- Hospitals work to control the spread of infection.