What does infectiously mean?
Infectiously is an adverb meaning in a way that spreads infection or, more commonly today, in a way that spreads enthusiasm, amusement, warmth, or attention. It is often used to describe a person, performance, or style whose appeal seems difficult to resist: an infectiously funny comedian, an infectiously cheerful host, or someone with an infectiously sociable manner. The word carries a positive figurative connotation, suggesting energy, warmth, and a quality that draws other people in. Its literal medical use refers to the manner in which an infection or disease is transmitted. Formed from infectious with the adverbial suffix -ly, infectiously is especially useful when the focus is not simply on whether something is engaging or amusing, but on the lively manner in which that engagement is communicated.
adverbIn a manner that spreads or can spread infection; figuratively, in a way that readily captures attention and enthusiasm.
- In a way that spreads or can spread infection.
- In a way that readily captures attention, enthusiasm, or goodwill.
"She has an infectiously warm personality that puts everyone at ease."
"The comedian's infectiously silly performance had the whole audience laughing."
"The disease can spread infectiously through close contact in crowded conditions."
Infectiously has a double life: it can describe the spread of disease, but it also describes the infectious delight of a joke, performance, or personality.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infectiously come from?
Infectiously was formed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to infectious. The larger word family derives from Latin infectus, meaning infected or tainted, related to inficere, 'to taint' or 'make infected,' from the prefix in- and the verb facere, 'to make.' English developed infectious in the medical sense before using it figuratively for qualities that spread readily from person to person.
How infectiously is actually used
The literal medical sense is relatively formal. The figurative sense is more common in informal and literary English and generally has a positive, lively connotation.
Easily confused with infectiously
Infectious is an adjective describing something capable of spreading infection or enthusiasm, whereas infectiously is an adverb describing the manner in which infection or enthusiasm is spread.