organism
0 antonyms and opposites of organism, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A complete, living individual thing, such as an animal, plant, fungus, or microbe.
How to use organism
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From "organ" plus "-ism," ultimately from Greek órganon, "instrument."
Full origin of organism →Frequently asked questions
What does “organism” mean?
The word “organism” means a complete, living individual thing, such as an animal, plant, fungus, or microbe. In plain terms, a living thing, from a bacterium to a human — or, more loosely, any complex system whose parts depend on each other.
How do you pronounce “organism”?
“Organism” is pronounced AW-guh-nih-zuhm (/ˈɔɹ.ɡəˌnɪz.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “organism” in a sentence?
Here is “organism” used in a sentence: “A single-celled organism can still carry out all the basic functions of life.”
What is another word for “organism”?
Words with a similar meaning to “organism” include being and biont.
What part of speech is “organism”?
“Organism” is a noun.
Where does the word “organism” come from?
The word “organism” comes from Greek. From "organ" plus "-ism," ultimately from Greek órganon, "instrument.".
Is “organism” a common word?
“Organism” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “organism” have?
“Organism” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a complete, living individual thing, such as an animal, plant, fungus, or microbe.
What is the difference between an "organism" and a "species"?
An "organism" is a single, complete living individual, such as one animal, plant, fungus, or microbe. A "species" is a broader classification category that groups organisms sharing common characteristics and the ability to interbreed.
Can a virus be called an "organism"?
Whether a virus counts as an "organism" is debated among scientists, since a complete, living individual thing typically must carry out independent life processes, and viruses rely entirely on host cells to reproduce. Many biologists exclude viruses from the strict definition of organism for this reason.
What does "organism" mean outside of biology?
Outside biology, "organism" can describe a complex system made up of interdependent parts, compared metaphorically to a living thing, such as calling a large institution or society "a living organism." This figurative use highlights how the parts function together as a whole.