infected
Infected (adjective) means having caught a disease or having a wound contaminated with harmful germs. Example: “The cut on his hand became infected and had to be treated with antibiotics.”
How to use infected
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCarrying or affected by a disease-causing germ.
Word forms
more infected comparative, infecteds plural, most infected superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cut on his hand became _____ and had to be treated with antibiotics.
Related words
Rhymes for infected
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.
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