Definition of "viral" in English

adjective

1. (virology) Of or relating to a biological virus.

   • viral DNA

2. (virology) Caused by a virus.

   • viral infection

3. (computing) Of the nature of an informatic virus; able to spread copies of itself to other computers.

4. (advertising and marketing) Spread by word of mouth with minimal intervention, in order to create buzz and interest.

5. (social media) Circulated rapidly and widely from one user to another.

noun

1. (marketing) A video, image or text spread by "word of mouth" on the internet or by e-mail for humorous, political or marketing purposes.

   • 2002, Nik Lever, Flash Mx Games: ActionScript for Artists, Focal Press, page 411, Using the Flash ActiveX control in this way allows you as a developer to create desktop characters, email virals and screensavers.
   • 2003, Dave Chaffey, Total E-Mail Marketing, Elsevier, page 2, [M]ost virals are not seen as profiling and data collection exercises, since that would kill the impulse of forwarding to a friend.
   • 2005, Russell Evans, Practical DV Filmmaking, Focal Press, page 289, Music company virals are becoming commonplace as costs of promos force labels to reconsider how to target more directly to consumers.