epidemic

Noun

1. A widespread disease that affects many humans in a population.
2. An occurrence of a disease or disorder in a human population at a frequency higher than that expected in a given time period; an episode of outbreak and subsequent high prevalence.
3. (broadly, colloquial) A heightened occurrence of anything harmful.
4. (figuratively) The spreading of an idea or belief amongst a population.

Adj

1. Of, related to, or being an epidemic: a widespread outbreak of disease in humans.
2. (figuratively) Like an epidemic: widespread in a bad way.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk/

Etymology

From French épidémique, from épidémie, from Medieval Latin epidēmia, reanalysis of plural Late Latin epidēmia, from Ancient Greek ἐπιδήμιος (epidḗmios), from ἐπί (epí, “upon”) + δῆμος (dêmos, “people”). By surface analysis, epi- (“on”) + demic (“of the people”).

Synonyms

plague

pestilence

outbreak

disease

pest

infectious disease

contagious disease

widespread

sickness

epidemic disease

predominant

scourge

epidemical

current

influenza

pandemic

common

prevalent

murrain

popular

popularity

steam

weather

bad cold

communicable disease

runny nose

leprosy

infectious diseases

pestilential disease

epidemy

prevalent sickness

scourse

accident

plague pest pestilence

blast

contagion

contagious

craze

disaster

disseminated

epizootic

fashion

fashionable

flu

general

grip

grippe

haze

incident

infection