epidemic
A time when many people in one area get the same infectious disease, more than normal.
A sudden, large increase in cases of an infectious disease within a specific community, region, or population, above what is normally expected.
A time when a bad problem or behavior becomes very common and spreads quickly among many people.
A situation in which a harmful social problem or behavior becomes extremely common and spreads quickly within a group or society.
Describing a disease or situation where many people in one area are infected.
Relating to, characteristic of, or involving an epidemic infectious disease that affects many individuals in a population.
Very common and spread widely in a group or place, usually for a bad problem.
Extremely widespread within a group, place, or period of time, especially referring to a harmful or worrying issue.
- Base: epidemic
- Base: epidemic
- Plural: epidemics
an epidemic of [something]
1a sudden large increase of something
Used to say that a problem, behavior, or disease has become very common and is spreading quickly among many people.
- Many countries are dealing with an epidemic of obesity in children.
- The city is facing an epidemic of car thefts this year.
epidemic proportions
1extremely large and widespread
Used to say that something has become extremely large and common, almost like a disease that spreads quickly.
- Online scams have reached epidemic proportions in recent years.
- The problem of plastic waste in the oceans has grown to epidemic proportions.
reach epidemic proportions
1become extremely widespread
To grow or increase so much that it becomes extremely widespread and serious, like a big disease outbreak.
- Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in some regions.
- Experts fear that antibiotic resistance could reach epidemic proportions if misuse continues.
the obesity epidemic
1very widespread obesity problem
The situation where many more people than before are very overweight, in a way that is a serious health problem for society.
- Schools are trying to improve lunches to help fight the obesity epidemic.
- The obesity epidemic is putting pressure on healthcare systems around the world.
the opioid epidemic
1widespread opioid misuse problem
The serious problem in some countries where many people are becoming addicted to opioid drugs and many are dying from them.
- Policymakers are under pressure to respond to the opioid epidemic.
- The opioid epidemic has devastated many small towns and rural communities.