Contagious vs. Infectious — What's the Difference?

Of or relating to contagion.

Capable of causing infection

Transmissible by direct or indirect contact; communicable

Capable of being transmitted by infection

Capable of transmitting a disease

Capable of transmitting a disease; contagious

Spreading or tending to spread from one to another; infectious

Spreading or tending to spread from one to another

(of a disease) Easily transmitted to others.

Caused by an agent that enters the host's body (such as a bacterium, virus, parasite, or prion); often, also, transmitted among hosts via any of various routes (for example, contact, droplet-borne, airborne, waterborne, foodborne, fomite-borne, or bloodborne).

(figurative) Easily passed on to others.

Able to infect others.

(of a person) Having a disease that can be transmitted to another person.

(of feelings and behaviour) Spreading quickly from one person to another.

Communicable by contact, by a virus, or by a bodily exhalation; catching; as, a contagious disease.

(informal) Memorable and invoking excitement or interest.

Conveying or generating disease; pestilential; poisonous; as, contagious air.

Having qualities that may infect; communicable or caused by infection; pestilential; epidemic; as, an infectious fever; infectious clothing; infectious water; infectious vices.

Spreading or communicable from one to another; exciting similar emotions or conduct in others.

Corrupting, or tending to corrupt or contaminate; vitiating; demoralizing.

Of or relating to communicable diseases;

Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure and forfeiture.

Easily diffused or spread as from one person to another;

Capable of being easily diffused or spread; sympathetic; readily communicated; as, infectious mirth.

(of disease) capable of being transmitted by infection

Caused by infection or capable of causing infection;

Easily spread;

Of or relating to infection;