epidemic
epidemic Lexical Profile
epidemic Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community or geographic region at a particular time.
"Public health officials worked tirelessly to contain the cholera epidemic before the rainy season began."
A sudden, rapid, and widespread growth or prevalence of something, typically an undesirable phenomenon.
"Sociologists have warned of a growing epidemic of loneliness among young adults in major cities."
• adjective
Relating to, having the nature of, or spreading rapidly like an epidemic across a wide population.
"Distrust in public institutions has reached epidemic proportions across several democracies."
Word Nuance & Usage
In epidemiology, an 'epidemic' is a sudden, widespread outbreak within a specific community or region, whereas a 'pandemic' crosses international borders to affect multiple continents, and an 'endemic' disease is one that is constantly present at a baseline level within a particular area.
• Rhymes for epidemic
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century via Middle French and Late Latin from the Ancient Greek 'epidemios' (among the people, prevalent), formed from 'epi-' (upon, among) and 'demos' (the people, district).