infected
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for infected, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Having caught a disease or having a wound contaminated with harmful germs.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use infected
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Frequently asked questions
What does “infected” mean?
The word “infected” means having caught a disease or having a wound contaminated with harmful germs. In plain terms, carrying or affected by a disease-causing germ.
How do you use “infected” in a sentence?
Here is “infected” used in a sentence: “The cut on his hand became infected and had to be treated with antibiotics.”
What part of speech is “infected”?
“Infected” is an adjective.
Is “infected” a common word?
“Infected” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "infected" and "contagious"?
"Infected" means a person, wound, or thing already carries harmful germs or disease, while "contagious" means a disease can spread from one person to another. An infected person may or may not be contagious, depending on the illness.
What is the difference between "infected" and "infested"?
"Infected" refers to contamination by germs such as bacteria or viruses, while "infested" refers to being overrun by larger pests like insects, rats, or worms. A wound gets infected, whereas a house gets infested.
What is the difference between "infected" and "inflamed"?
An "infected" wound contains harmful germs, while an "inflamed" area is red, swollen, hot, or painful. Infection often causes inflammation, but tissue can be inflamed by injury or irritation without any infection.