virus Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
Virus as a Noun
A submicroscopic, non-cellular structure that consists of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat, that requires a living host cell to replicate, and that sometimes causes disease in the host organism (such agents are often classed as nonliving infectious particles and less often as microorganisms).
Some viruses, such as norovirus, cause sporadic outbreaks of gastroenteritis.
A species thereof.
Some viruses, such as norovirus, cause sporadic outbreaks of gastroenteritis.
An individual particle thereof: synonym of virion.
Under electron microscopy, a few viruses were seen floating near the cells.
A quantity of such infectious agents, considered en masse.
Not much virus was detectable on a nucleic acid test; the viral load was very low.
A disease caused by such an infectious agent; a viral illness.
He's got a virus and had to stay home from school.
Venom, as produced by a poisonous animal etc.
A type of malware which can covertly transmit itself between computers via networks (especially the Internet) or removable storage such as disks by inserting its code into other executable files, often causing damage to systems and data; also computer virus.
Any type of malware.
Any malicious or dangerous entity that spreads from one place or person to another.
A submicroscopic, non-cellular structure consisting of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat, that requires a living host cell to replicate, and often causes disease in the host organism.
A disease caused by these organisms.
He caught a virus and had to stay home from school.
A type of malware which can covertly transmit itself between computers via networks (especially the Internet) or removable storage such as disks, often causing damage to systems and data; also computer virus.
Virus as a Verb
To send or infect an electronic device with a computer virus.
I'm just going to virus anyone who tries cheating on this game.
Virus in a Sentence
Some viruses, such as norovirus, cause sporadic outbreaks of gastroenteritis.
Under electron microscopy, a few viruses were seen floating near the cells.
Not much virus was detectable on a nucleic acid test; the viral load was very low.
He's got a virus and had to stay home from school.
I'm just going to virus anyone who tries cheating on this game.
He caught a virus and had to stay home from school.
Word Forms & Grammar
virus (countable and uncountable, plural viruses or (rare) virusses or (rare) vira or (proscribed) viri or (proscribed) virii or (rare, nonstandard) virus)
virus (third-person singular simple present viruses, present participle virusing, simple past and past participle virused)
Words That Rhyme With Virus
Origin of Virus
From Middle English virus, from Latin vīrus (“poison, slime, venom”), via rhotacism from Proto-Italic *weizos, from Proto-Indo-European *wisós (“fluidity, slime, poison”). First use in the computer context by David Gerrold in his 1972 book When HARLIE Was One.
Virus in Brief
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈvaɪ.ɹəs/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Meaning | A submicroscopic, non-cellular structure that consists of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat… |
| Plural | viruses |
| Verb forms | viruses, virusing, virused |
Pronouncing Virus
You say virus as /ˈvaɪ.ɹəs/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (vaɪ).
Quick Answers About Virus
Is virus a noun or a verb?
Virus is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of virus?
The plural of virus is viruses.
What is the past tense of virus?
The past tense of virus is virused. The present participle is virusing.