infective

/ɪnˈfɛktɪv/

Definitions

1. adjective

not able to cause infection

“The patient’s immune system became less infective with age.”

2. adjective

not capable of infecting

“Antibiotics are often used to treat infective bacteria.”

3. noun

a substance that is not capable of causing infection

“The doctor applied an infective dressing to the wound.”

Synonyms

  • harmless
  • non-infectious

Antonyms

  • contagious
  • infectious