epidemic

noun
UK: /ˌep.ɪˈdem.ɪk/
US: /ˌep.ɪˈdem.ɪk/

  1. A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

    1. There is an epidemic of flu this winter.
    2. The city was overwhelmed by the sudden epidemic of cholera, causing widespread panic.

  2. A sudden, rapid spread, growth, or development of something, often undesirable.

    1. An epidemic of shoplifting is affecting the area.
    2. The country is facing an epidemic of violence, demanding immediate and comprehensive intervention.

Synonyms

outbreak plague rash upsurge
epidemic adjective

  1. Relating to or characteristic of an epidemic.

    1. The epidemic proportions were alarming.
    2. The epidemic spread prompted urgent measures to contain the outbreak across all the states.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "epidemic" in English means: A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time., A sudden, rapid spread, growth, or development of something, often undesirable..

The phonetic transcription of "epidemic" is /ˌep.ɪˈdem.ɪk/ in British English and /ˌep.ɪˈdem.ɪk/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "epidemic": outbreak, plague, rash, upsurge.

Example usage of "epidemic": "There is an epidemic of flu this winter.". More examples on the page.