coronavirus
coronavirus — noun
- coronavirussingular
- coronavirusesplural
1. Named for the crown-shaped spikes on its surface, a coronavirus is one of many v
Named for the crown-shaped spikes on its surface, a coronavirus is one of many viruses that spread between animals and people. Most cause only mild breathing problems, but some varieties can lead to serious disease.
Rachid learned that coronaviruses were first found in chickens during the 1960s.
coronaviruses first identified in chickens
Under a powerful microscope, Megan saw the crown-like spikes on the coronavirus surface.
crown-like spikes visible under microscope
Most coronaviruses only cause a mild cold, but a few have led to deadly outbreaks.
Scientists in Andrés's lab are studying how the coronavirus spike binds to human cells.
The coronavirus family includes many strains that infect bats, camels, and other animals.
- SARS-CoV-2
the scientific name for the specific coronavirus that causes COVID-19; more precise but rarely used in everyday conversation
- novel coronavirus
early name used in 2020 before the virus was officially named SARS-CoV-2; now less common
- COVID-19 virus
informal name emphasising the link to the disease; avoids confusion between the virus and the illness
文法句型
a/one coronavirus
the coronavirus
coronaviruses (plural)
用法筆記
Countable when referring to a specific viral type or strain: 'a novel coronavirus.' Often uncountable in general statements: 'Coronavirus is common in wild animals.'
常見錯誤
2. The COVID-19 illness, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, first appeared in la
The COVID-19 illness, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, first appeared in late 2019 and quickly became a worldwide pandemic. Its main signs are fever, a dry cough, difficulty breathing, and losing the ability to taste or smell.
Shanti caught coronavirus in the winter and had to isolate at home for two weeks.
caught coronavirus + had to isolate
Walid's grandmother received a coronavirus vaccine as soon as the shots became available.
vaccinated against coronavirus
The mayor of Sirin's city announced new rules to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Ezra could not taste food for months after he recovered from coronavirus.
Hospitals in Eli's region set up special tents to treat coronavirus patients.
- COVID-19
the official medical name for the disease; more formal and specific than 'coronavirus'
- the coronavirus
common informal way to refer to the pandemic disease; ambiguous but widely understood
- the pandemic
refers to the global outbreak rather than the disease itself; broader in scope
文法句型
have/contract coronavirus
die of/from coronavirus
vaccinate against coronavirus
recover from coronavirus
用法筆記
In everyday conversation, 'coronavirus' is far more common than 'COVID-19,' though the latter is the official disease name. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 refers to the illness itself (uncountable: 'had coronavirus'), while sense 1 refers to the virus family (countable: 'a coronavirus'). In informal speech, 'the coronavirus' can refer to either sense depending on context.