epidemic
eh-pih-DEH-mik
/ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk/
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease or an undesirable phenomenon in a community at a particular time.
While often used for viruses, in public health it describes the rapid spread of non-infectious conditions like obesity.
The story behind the word. The Greeks gave us 'epidemic' by combining 'epi' (upon) and 'demos' (the people). It literally means something that has come 'upon the people.' This is the same 'demos' found in 'democracy' (rule by the people).
Word relationships
- outbreak: Usually refers to a sudden start of a disease, while epidemic implies a larger scale.
- scourge: A more dramatic, literary term for a cause of great suffering.
- endemic: A disease regularly found among particular people or in a certain area, rather than a sudden spike.
Commonly confused with
- pandemic: A pandemic is an epidemic that has spread across multiple countries or continents.
Word family
- epidemiology (noun): The study of how diseases spread.
- epidemiologist (noun): A person who studies epidemics.
Collocations
- obesity epidemic
- opioid epidemic
- epidemic proportions
- reach epidemic levels
Example sentences
- "Health officials are calling the rise in type 2 diabetes a modern epidemic." News headline about health trends.
- "The epidemic of loneliness is as dangerous as any physical ailment." Describing a social issue.
Memory hook
An 'Epidemic' is 'Epi' (Epic) in its spread across the 'Demic' (Demographic). Epidemic: Upon the people.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'pandemic,' which is a global outbreak. An epidemic is more localized or specific to a population.
Fun facts
- The word was first used in English in the 1600s to describe the plague.
Related words
Explore more words
epidemiology, proliferation, rapid, fatality, sporadic, endemic
Also appears in
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