Spanish word

virus

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbiɾus/

Meaning

  • masculine nounvirus

Example

Creo que tengo un virus en el móvil.

I think I have a virus on my phone.

Illustration for virus (virus)

More examples

Para eliminar el virus, actualiza la aplicación y ejecuta un escáner.

To remove the virus, update the app and run a scanner.

Core concept

Agent that hijacks a host to reproduce itself and can damage biological tissue or computer systems.

Common phrases

  • tener un virus

    be infected with a virus

  • virus informático

    computer virus

  • vacuna contra el virus

    vaccine against the virus

Similar words

virus informático: Malicious program that infiltrates phones or computers and disrupts their normal operation.
malware: Any harmful software designed to damage, spy on, or take control of a device.
infección: Process in which a pathogen enters the body, multiplies, and causes illness.
enfermedad: Condition in which the body's normal functioning is impaired and daily activities are affected.

Definition in Spanish

Nombra un agente que utiliza células huésped para reproducirse y puede causar enfermedad; también se aplica a programas informáticos que se replican y dañan sistemas.

Word origin

The word derives from Latin virus 'poison', adopted into medical vocabulary for pathogenic agents and later broadened to refer to programs that replicate and damage systems.

Usage tips

  • The plural in Spanish is virus (unchanged), and speakers often add virus informático when they want to specify malware.

Other meanings

  • computer virusnoun

Related words

  • viralviraladjective
  • antiviralantiviraladjective

Word lists with this word