viral

adjective

vi·​ral ˈvī-rəl How to pronounce viral (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or caused by a virus
a viral infection
2
: quickly and widely spread or popularized especially by means of social media
a viral video
virally adverb
virality noun

Examples of viral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The article, which Feerick’s wife, Emalie, had helped with, went viral, or as viral as something could go in the sixties. Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 Then, a customer posted a now viral video on Instagram in November last year that took off. Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 3 May 2026 James Comey gets indicted again, the Pentagon says how much the Iran war has cost taxpayers, and viral trend is removing door handles. Jeremy Mikula, NBC news, 2 May 2026 And not by any of the instant, massive viral fame that came with it. Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for viral

Word History

Etymology

vir(us) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of viral was in 1937

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Viral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viral. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

viral

adjective
vi·​ral ˈvī-rəl How to pronounce viral (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or caused by a virus
a viral infection
2
: quickly and widely spread or popularized especially by person-to-person electronic communication
a viral video

Medical Definition

viral

adjective
vi·​ral ˈvī-rəl How to pronounce viral (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by a virus
viral infections
virally adverb

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