adj
Uncommon
bacterial
bak-TEER-ree-uh
Bacterial (adj) means Caused by, related to, or involving bacteria. Example: “The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection.”
adj
1
Caused by, related to, or involving bacteria.
"The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection."
"Bacterial growth in the wound needed to be controlled before it healed properly."
"Washing your hands often helps stop the spread of bacterial illnesses at school."
How to use bacterial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes anything to do with bacteria — an infection, a disease, or a process caused by them.
Common pairings
bacterial infection
bacterial growth
antibacterial
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The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the _____ infection.
Etymology
Formed by adding the adjective ending -al to "bacteria."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bacterial
See all rhymes for bacterial →Frequently asked questions
What does “bacterial” mean?
The word “bacterial” means caused by, related to, or involving bacteria. In plain terms, describes anything to do with bacteria — an infection, a disease, or a process caused by them.
How do you pronounce “bacterial”?
“Bacterial” is pronounced bak-TEER-ree-uh ([bækˈtɪəɹiəɫ] in IPA).
How do you use “bacterial” in a sentence?
Here is “bacterial” used in a sentence: “The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection.”
What part of speech is “bacterial”?
“Bacterial” is an adjective.
Is “bacterial” a common word?
“Bacterial” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a bacterial infection and a viral infection?
A bacterial infection is caused by bacteria, while a viral infection is caused by a virus; the two are different types of organisms, which is why treatments such as antibiotics that work on bacterial infections are not effective against viral infections.
What kinds of illnesses are described as bacterial?
Bacterial is used to describe illnesses or conditions caused by, related to, or involving bacteria, such as bacterial pneumonia or a bacterial skin infection.
Is bacterial always used in a medical context?
Bacterial is most commonly used in medical and scientific contexts to describe anything caused by or related to bacteria, though it can also appear in broader discussions of biology, food safety, or hygiene.
