Definition

Relating to a disease or condition that spreads quickly and affects many people in a specific area or population at the same time.

Example

The health department issued a warning about the epidemic outbreak of the flu this winter.

Conversation

Have you noticed how there's been an epidemic of flu cases lately?

Yeah, it's really concerning how many people are getting sick.

I heard the doctors are saying it's one of the worst epidemic seasons in years.

I believe it! We should probably get our flu shots soon.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A situation where a disease spreads quickly and affects many people at the same time, or a rapid increase in something negative, like unemployment.

Example

The city faced an epidemic of flu cases last winter.

Conversation

Have you heard about the latest health epidemic going around?

Yeah, it's really concerning how fast it spreads.

I know! It's almost like every few years we face a new epidemic.

Root Explanation

Epidemic → It is formed from "epi-" (meaning upon or over) and "demos" (meaning people). The word describes a disease that spreads upon or over a population, affecting many people at once.

Memory Tip

Think of a disease that spreads 'upon' ('epi-') a large group of 'people' ('demos') — that's what an epidemic means.

Visually Confused Words