Contagion Meaning in English
word
Definition
The process by which a disease or feeling spreads from one person or thing to another; most often refers to how illnesses are passed but can also mean the spread of ideas or emotions.
Usage & Nuances
More formal or scientific than 'infection'. Used in medical and figurative (emotional, financial) contexts: 'social contagion', 'financial contagion'. Not used for individual cases; it means the process or phenomenon of spreading.
Example Sentences
Contagion between people can cause illness to spread quickly.
basic
Doctors are working to prevent the contagion of the virus.
basic
Fear can spread like a contagion through a community.
basic
After the report, financial contagion hit markets across Asia.
natural
Laughter is a kind of contagion—one person laughs, and soon everyone joins in.
natural
The doctor explained how emotional contagion can affect our mood without us noticing.
natural