What does epidemically mean?
"Epidemically" is an adverb describing something that occurs in the manner of an epidemic — that is, spreading rapidly and extensively through a population at the same time. Derived from "epidemic," it is used chiefly in medical, scientific, and journalistic contexts: a disease may spread epidemically through a city, or a condition such as obesity may be described as having reached epidemically high levels. Beyond literal outbreaks of illness, the word carries a figurative sense, applied to anything that proliferates to an alarming or excessive degree, from misinformation on social media to sedentary lifestyles. Because it evokes urgency and uncontrolled spread, "epidemically" tends to carry negative connotations, signalling that something has outgrown normal bounds and demands attention. It pairs naturally with words such as "high," "widespread," and "significant," and belongs to the same Greek-rooted family as "endemic," "pandemic," and "epidemiology."
In a way characteristic of an epidemic; spreading rapidly and widely among many people at once.
"The virus moved epidemically through the densely populated port city."
Primarily formal and scientific in register.
(Figuratively) To an excessively or alarmingly widespread degree.
"Anxiety disorders have become epidemically common among young adults."
Frequent in journalism; sometimes perceived as hyperbolic.
The 'demos' hiding inside 'epidemically' is the same Greek word for 'the people' that gives us 'democracy' — so every epidemic literally concerns what happens among the people.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of epidemically
"Epidemically" derives from "epidemic," which comes from the Greek "epidēmia," meaning "prevalence among the people," formed from "epi-" (upon, among) and "dēmos" (the people, district). The term entered English via Late Latin "epidemia" and French, with "epidemic" attested by the early 17th century in reference to diseases affecting many people at once. It shares its root with "demos"-derived words such as "democracy," "demography," and cognates like "endemic" and "pandemic," all of which concern the distribution of things among populations.
Related word forms
How epidemically is actually used
Formal register, most often found in medical, public-health, and journalistic writing. The figurative use ('epidemically popular') is common in journalism but may strike some readers as hyperbolic.
Easily confused with epidemically
'Endemically' describes something regularly found or confined to a particular place or population, whereas 'epidemically' describes something spreading rapidly and uncontrollably beyond its usual level.