IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
viral
adjective/ˈvaɪrəl/Band 7
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“viral” is a Band 7 adjective that means (Of content) spreading very quickly and widely online. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.
Meaning
(Of content) spreading very quickly and widely online.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “The clip went viral overnight.”
- “Brands dream of creating viral content.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
widely sharedtrending
Antonyms
unnoticed
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
go viralviral videoviral content
Common phrases
go viral
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “viral” mean?
(Of content) spreading very quickly and widely online.
How do you use “viral” in a sentence?
For example: “The clip went viral overnight.”
What are some synonyms for “viral”?
Synonyms include widely shared, trending.
Is “viral” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 7 vocabulary, and collocations such as go viral, viral video, viral content help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.
Next step
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