viruses
viruses — noun
- virusessingular
- virusesesplural
1. A tiny living thing, too small to be seen without a special microscope, that ent
A tiny living thing, too small to be seen without a special microscope, that enters the cells of people, animals, or plants and causes illness.
Eitan missed a week of school after catching a virus that caused a high fever.
collocation: catch a virus
The flu virus changes every year, so doctors recommend a new vaccine each autumn.
collocation: flu virus + vaccine
Ayesha's doctor explained that the virus enters the body through the nose and mouth.
Scientists are studying how the monkeypox virus spreads from animals to humans.
Under a microscope, a virus looks like a tiny ball covered in protein spikes.
常見錯誤
2. An illness or infection that results when a tiny infectious agent enters the bod
An illness or infection that results when a tiny infectious agent enters the body and starts to multiply, usually causing symptoms like fever, cough, or stomach problems.
Maeve caught a stomach virus after eating seafood at the night market.
collocation: stomach virus
The virus spread through the office so fast that ten people called in sick.
collocation: virus spread through [place]
Jason's fever broke after three days, and the virus finally left his body.
Chiara stayed home from school because a stomach virus made her feel weak.
The nurse told Amira to rest and drink plenty of fluids while fighting the virus.
用法筆記
When referring to an illness, 'virus' usually describes common short-term infections (stomach virus, flu virus) rather than chronic or long-term conditions.
常見錯誤
3. A harmful computer program designed to spread from one machine to another by cop
A harmful computer program designed to spread from one machine to another by copying itself, often damaging files, stealing data, or disrupting normal operations.
Caio accidentally downloaded a virus that erased every single holiday photo on his laptop.
collocation: download a virus
An email with a strange attachment contained a virus that spread through the company network.
pattern: virus spread through [network]
Ryo installed free antivirus software to protect his computer from dangerous viruses.
Hoa's laptop crashed after a virus copied itself onto every file on the hard drive.
Some computer viruses steal passwords and send them to criminals over the internet.
用法筆記
Often modified by 'computer' for clarity in general contexts, though 'virus' alone is understood in technology-related discussions. Not to be confused with 'malware' (a broader category) or 'worm' (a specific subtype that spreads without needing a host file).
常見錯誤
4. Something that spreads rapidly through a group or society, gradually damaging pe
Something that spreads rapidly through a group or society, gradually damaging people's attitudes, values, or general well-being — like a disease of the mind or culture.
Defne believes that fake news on social media is a virus that poisons public debate.
figurative: [something harmful] is a virus that poisons [area]
Gossip spread through the team like a virus, destroying trust among colleagues.
simile: spread like a virus
Adina warned that the culture of dishonesty had become a virus in the organization.
The school principal described bullying as a virus that harms the whole community.
文法句型
virus of + harmful abstract noun
用法筆記
Always used figuratively in this sense. The noun following 'virus of' is always something negative (hatred, corruption, prejudice, dishonesty). This sense does not work for positive spreading influences.