infective

[ in-fek-tiv ]

adjective

1. infectious.

infective

/ ɪnˈfɛktɪv /

adjective

1. capable of causing infection
2. a less common word for infectious

Derived Forms

• inˈfectiveness, noun
• inˈfectively, adverb

Other Words From

• in·fective·ness infec·tivi·ty noun
• unin·fective adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of infective¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word infectīvus. See infect, -ive

Example Sentences

“And it may be that this particular summer, we have just seen a lot more of a faster churn of some of the variants, and they’ve just been a little bit more infective,” Hudson said.

From Los Angeles Times

CJD is the most prominent of the handful of diseases, all fatal, that result when prions, proteins of uncertain function that are abundant in the brain, misfold into an infective form that spreads widely.

From Science Magazine

The disease is rare, however, people with previous valve surgeries, heart valve abnormalities, artificial valves, congenital heart defects or previous infective endocarditis have a greater risk of developing it.

From Science Daily

But disposing of feces within 48 hours is enough to get any eggs they contain away from the area before they hatch and become infective.

From Scientific American

“But there still seems to be a substantial benefit to updating your vaccine now, compared to being previously vaccinated or infective.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• dangerous
• deadly
• destructive
• fatal
• lethal
• noxious
• pernicious
• toxic
• venomous
• vicious
• virulent