Definition

To spread a disease or harmful substance to someone or something, causing them to become ill or contaminated.

Example

The doctor warned that the virus could easily infect anyone who was not vaccinated.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I heard that flu is going around and it can easily infect people.

Yeah, I've seen a lot of people coughing lately.

We should be careful not to infect each other if one of us gets sick.

Definitely! Let’s keep some hand sanitizer handy just in case.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Infect → It is formed from "in-" (meaning into) and "facere" (meaning to make or do). The word "infect" means to make something unclean or contaminated by introducing harmful agents into it.

Memory Tip

Think of something being made 'into' something harmful — 'in-' means into, and 'facere' means to make.

Visually Confused Words