noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

antivirus

AN-tee-VY-ruhss

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Antivirus (noun) means a programme that looks for harmful software on a computer or phone, warns about it and removes or isolates what it finds, using both lists of known threats and checks on how programmes behave. Example: “The antivirus quarantined the download before it could run.”

noun

computing A programme that looks for harmful software on a computer or phone, warns about it and removes or isolates what it finds, using both lists of known threats and checks on how programmes behave.

"The antivirus quarantined the download before it could run."

"Her laptop shipped with an antivirus already installed."

adjective

computing Relating to software or measures intended to detect and remove harmful programmes.

"The company rolled out antivirus software across every machine in the office."

How to use antivirus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSoftware that finds and removes harmful programmes on your computer.

When to use it

Written as one word in modern usage; the older hyphenated anti-virus still appears, more often in British sources. Abbreviated AV in technical writing.

Memory tip

Both 'antivirus' and 'antivirus software' are correct; treat the bare noun as countable ('an antivirus').

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

firewall → VPN → anti-malware virus →

Common pairings

antivirus software run an antivirus scan antivirus definitions install antivirus

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “antivirus” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ quarantined the download before it could run.

Etymology

From anti- meaning against, and virus in its computing sense.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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anti-malware security software endpoint protection AV protective

Related words

defensive protective territorial ab av tutelar

Rhymes for antivirus

virus retrovirus

See all rhymes for antivirus →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between antivirus and anti-malware?

The names now describe much the same product. Antivirus is the older term, from a time when self-copying viruses were the main threat, while anti-malware acknowledges the wider range of harmful software such as ransomware, spyware and trojans. Most current products cover all of these regardless of what they are called.

What is the difference between an antivirus and a firewall?

An antivirus examines files and programmes on the device itself, deciding whether something is harmful. A firewall works at the edge of the network or device, deciding which connections in and out are allowed. They address different stages, which is why systems commonly run both.

How does an antivirus recognise something it has never seen?

Alongside signatures, which are fingerprints of already-known threats, most products watch what a programme actually does, such as encrypting files in bulk or altering system settings, and flag behaviour that matches known attack patterns. This catches some new threats but is not exhaustive.

What is the meaning of antivirus?

"antivirus" (noun) means a programme that looks for harmful software on a computer or phone, warns about it and removes or isolates what it finds, using both lists of known threats and checks on how programmes behave.

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