Pestiferous Definition & Meaning
pestiferous
- adjective
- contaminated with infecting organisms; "dirty wounds"; "obliged to go into infected rooms"- Jane Austen
- likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease; "a pestilential malignancy in the air"- Jonathan Swift; "plaguey fevers"
- tending to corrupt or pervert
- causing irritation or annoyance; "tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork"; "aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport"; "found it galling to have to ask permission"; "an irritating delay"; "nettlesome paperwork"; "a pesky mosquito"; "swarms of pestering gnats"; "a plaguey newfangled safety catch"; "a teasing and persistent thought annoyed him"; "a vexatious child"; "it is vexing to have to admit you are wrong"
Words that rhyme with pestiferous
Usage tips for "pestiferous"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "pestiferous" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for pestiferous to find words that pair well.