Virulent

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈvɪɹəlÉ™nt/
• UK IPA: /ˈvɪrjÊŠlÉ™nt/

Origin

From Latin virus ("poison, slime, venom").

Full definition of virulent

Adjective

1. (chiefly medicine, of a disease or disease-causing agent) Highly infectious, malignant, or deadly.
2. Hostile to the point of being venomous; intensely acrimonious.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 8, It was a casual sneer, obviously one of a long line. There was hatred behind it, but of a quiet, chronic type, nothing new or unduly virulent, and he was taken aback by the flicker of amazed incredulity that passed over the younger man's ravaged face.
3. The politicians were virulent in their hatred of the president.

Related terms

• virus
• virulence
• virulently