epidemic
nounBand 7
UKˌepɪˈdemɪk
USˌɛpəˈdɛmɪk
A widespread occurrence of a disease, or a rapid rise in something harmful.
The country is battling a flu epidemic.
Some experts describe obesity as an epidemic.
Remember it
Epidemic combines Greek epi, “upon,” with demos, “people”: a disease spreading among people.
Goes with
Similar and opposite
- Similar
- outbreakplague
Word family
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