English · Culture & Society
viral
/ˈvaɪ.rəl/
[/ˈvaɪ.rəl/]
rapidly widely shared
Intermediateadjective
Definition
Spreading quickly and widely, especially through online sharing.
Example
The short clip went viral overnight, reaching millions of viewers within a day.
The short clip went viral overnight, reaching millions of viewers within a day.
Etymology
From 'virus'; the metaphor for fast online spread emerged in the late 1990s.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in social media and digital marketing.