Viral

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈvaɪrÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -aɪrÉ™l

Origin

From the stem of virus and the suffix -al.

Full definition of viral

Adjective

1. (virology) Of or relating to a biological virus.viral DNA
2. (virology) Caused by a virus.viral infection
3. (computing) Of the nature of an informatic virus; able to spread copies of itself to other computers.
4. (advertising and marketing) Spread by word of mouth, with minimal intervention in order to create buzz and interest.

Derived terms

• go viral
• viral marketing

Noun

1. (marketing) A video, image or text spread by "word of mouth" on the internet or by e-mail for humorous, political or marketing purposes.
• 2002, Nik Lever, Flash Mx Games: ActionScript for Artists, Focal Press, page 411,Using the Flash ActiveX control in this way allows you as a developer to create desktop characters, email virals and screensavers.
• 2003, Dave Chaffey, Total E-Mail Marketing, Elsevier, page 2,Most virals are not seen as profiling and data collection exercises, since that would kill the impulse of forwarding to a friend.
• 2005, Russell Evans, Practical DV Filmmaking, Focal Press, page 289,Music company virals are becoming commonplace as costs of promos force labels to reconsider how to target more directly to consumers.

Anagrams

• Avril
• rival