Definition

Not capable of causing disease or harm; lacking the ability to produce severe effects.

Example

The avirulent strain of the virus is used in research to study immune responses without causing illness.

Conversation

I read that some germs can be avirulent and still spread easily.

That's interesting! So they aren't harmful but can still move around.

Yeah, it makes you think about how we perceive germs.

Exactly! Not all of them are dangerous, which is a relief.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Avirulent → It is formed from "a-" (meaning without) and "virulent" (from Latin "virulentus", meaning poisonous or full of venom). The word "avirulent" means without virulence or not harmful.

Memory Tip

Think of 'without' ('a-') and 'poisonous' ('virulent') to remember that 'avirulent' means not harmful.

Visually Confused Words