Anything contagious, such as the flu, is always automatically infectious: if you can catch it from someone, it's being passed to you via an infectious agent, which is the thing that gets you …

Jan 12, 2026 · How long are you contagious? “Most viral respiratory illnesses can spread for 5–14 days from initial contact,” says Elyse Thorne, NP, Virtual Care. “You can be contagious 1–3 days before …

CONTAGIOUS definition: capable of being transmitted by bodily contact with an infected person or object. See examples of contagious used in a sentence.

A contagious disease can be caught by touching someone who has the disease or by touching an infected object, or by an infected person coughing, sneezing, etc. near you:

You should probably postpone dinner if your date's cold is contagious — that means it's easily spread and likely to get you sick. Contagious actually evolved from contagio, the Latin phrase for “contact."

Definition of contagious adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

A feeling or attitude that is contagious spreads quickly among a group of people. Laughing is contagious. Antonio has a contagious enthusiasm for the beautiful aspect of food.

Contagious refers to a disease or condition that can be easily spread from one person to another through direct or indirect contact. It can also refer to a behavior, emotion, or situation that is likely to …

5 days ago · Adjective contagious (comparative more contagious, superlative most contagious) (of a disease) Easily transmitted to others.

1. Of or relating to contagion. 2. Transmissible by direct or indirect contact; communicable: a contagious disease. 3. Capable of transmitting a disease: stayed at home until he was no longer contagious. 4. …