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of, relating to, or caused by a .
pertaining to or involving the spreading of information and opinions about a product or service from person to person, especially on the Internet or in emails:
a clever viral ad.
See also .
becoming very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the Internet: the most memorable viral videos;
This book is already viral two weeks before its official publication date.
pertaining to a .
go viral, to spread rapidly via the Internet, email, or other media:
Footage of the candidate’s off-color remarks went viral within minutes.
Contemporary Examples

The troubling abuse seen in viral footage of the Rutgers basketball team may be more common than we think.
Is Your Kid’s Coach Too Mean? Michele Willens April 2, 2013

Nothing I can prescribe will have any impact on the viral infections that are causing these symptoms in the first place.
Doctors Can’t Prescribe a Magical Cure for Everything Russell Saunders March 25, 2014

From Bill Clinton Kermit the Frog, Kevin Fallon judges the best and worst “Blurred Lines” viral videos.
‘Blurred Lines’ Goes Viral: Rating 15 Mash-ups, Parodies & Covers (VIDEO) Kevin Fallon July 24, 2013

But no amount of viral marketing can make a hit out of nothing.
The Enduring Terror of Paranormal Activity 2 Keith Phipps October 21, 2010

Friedersdorf responds to critics of his recently viral piece, “Why I Refuse to Vote for Barack Obama.”
Red Lines: A Fantasy in American Politics Justin Green September 30, 2012

Don’t use Fred Davis, the man responsible for viral political commercials such as this one.
Meghan McCain’s 7 Tips for Republican Hopefuls Meghan McCain June 19, 2011

Instead, the now viral interview began with Green asking why Aslan, a Muslim, would write a book about Jesus Christ.
Speed Read: The Six Most Controversial Reza Aslan Claims About Jesus Lizzie Crocker July 29, 2013

This viral video from the 1990s proves the fact that cute monkeys simply make dancing better.
St. Patrick’s Day: 10 Funniest Irish Dance Scenes Sujay Kumar March 15, 2011

Cozart chats with The Daily Beast about his viral fame and more.
‘After Ever After’: 13 Questions With YouTube Sensation Jon Cozart Anna Klassen March 17, 2013

Historical Examples

Secondary invaders and pus-forming bacteria follow the viral destruction of the lung tissue and form abscesses.
Pandemic Jesse Franklin Bone

adjective
of, relating to, or caused by a virus
(of a video, image, story, etc) spread quickly and widely among internet users via social networking sites, e-mail, etc
adj.

“of the nature of, or caused by, a virus,” 1948, see virus.

viral vi·ral (vī’rəl)
adj.
Of, relating to, or caused by a virus.
virus
(vī’rəs)
Plural viruses

Any of various extremely small, often disease-causing agents consisting of a particle (the virion), containing a segment of RNA or DNA within a protein coat known as a capsid. Viruses are not technically considered living organisms because they are devoid of biological processes (such as metabolism and respiration) and cannot reproduce on their own but require a living cell (of a plant, animal, or bacterium) to make more viruses. Viruses reproduce first either by injecting their genetic material into the host cell or by fully entering the cell and shedding their protein coat. The genetic material may then be incorporated into the cell’s own genome or remain in the cytoplasm. Eventually the viral genes instruct the cell to produce new viruses, which often cause the cell to die upon their exit. Rather than being primordial forms of life, viruses probably evolved from rogue pieces of cellular nucleic acids. The common cold, influenza, chickenpox, smallpox, measles, mumps, yellow fever, hemorrhagic fevers, and some cancers are among the diseases caused by viruses.

Computer Science A computer program that duplicates itself in a manner that is harmful to normal computer use. Most viruses work by attaching themselves to another program. The amount of damage varies; viruses may erase all data or do nothing but reproduce themselves.

viral adjective