noun Uncommon

fungus

FUHNG-guhs

Fungus (noun) means a living organism such as a mold, mushroom, or yeast that lacks chlorophyll and gets its nutrients by absorption rather than photosynthesis. Example: “Mushrooms are the visible fruiting body of an underground fungus.”

noun

A living organism such as a mold, mushroom, or yeast that lacks chlorophyll and gets its nutrients by absorption rather than photosynthesis.

"Mushrooms are the visible fruiting body of an underground fungus."

"The damp basement wall was covered in fungus."

An abnormal, spongy growth of tissue, such as excess granulation in a wound.

"The doctor noted an unusual fungus forming around the edges of the wound."

How to Use Fungus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mold, mushroom, or similar organism that isn't a plant or animal — it feeds by absorbing nutrients rather than making its own food.

Common mistake

The plural is "fungi" (or informally "funguses"), not "funguses" in formal/scientific writing.

Common pairings

fungus grows toxic fungus fungus spores

Word Forms

fungi plural, funguses plural, fungusses plural, fungus plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “fungus” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Mushrooms are the visible fruiting body of an underground _____.

Etymology

Borrowed directly from Latin fungus, meaning "mushroom."

Origin: Latin

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “fungus” mean?

The word “fungus” means a living organism such as a mold, mushroom, or yeast that lacks chlorophyll and gets its nutrients by absorption rather than photosynthesis. In plain terms, a mold, mushroom, or similar organism that isn't a plant or animal — it feeds by absorbing nutrients rather than making its own food.

How do you pronounce “fungus”?

“Fungus” is pronounced FUHNG-guhs (/ˈfʌŋ.ɡəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “fungus” in a sentence?

Here is “fungus” used in a sentence: “Mushrooms are the visible fruiting body of an underground fungus.”

What part of speech is “fungus”?

“Fungus” is a noun.

Where does the word “fungus” come from?

The word “fungus” comes from Latin. Borrowed directly from Latin fungus, meaning "mushroom.".

Is “fungus” a common word?

“Fungus” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “fungus” have?

“Fungus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a living organism such as a mold, mushroom, or yeast that lacks chlorophyll and gets its nutrients by absorption rather than photosynthesis.