germ
4 synonyms and 2 antonyms for germ, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A microorganism, especially one that causes disease, such as a bacterium or virus.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A microorganism, especially one that causes disease, such as a bacterium or virus.
“Wash your hands to kill any germs before eating.”
How to use germ
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
spread germs
kill germs
germ of an idea
wheat germ
Etymology
From Latin germen, meaning "bud, seed, or embryo" — the same root gives us "germinate."
Full origin of germ →Frequently asked questions
What does “germ” mean?
The word “germ” means a microorganism, especially one that causes disease, such as a bacterium or virus. In plain terms, either a disease-causing microbe, or the tiny starting point of an idea or a plant.
How do you pronounce “germ”?
“Germ” is pronounced jurm (/d͡ʒɝm/ in IPA).
How do you use “germ” in a sentence?
Here is “germ” used in a sentence: “Wash your hands to kill any germs before eating.”
What part of speech is “germ”?
“Germ” is a noun.
Where does the word “germ” come from?
The word “germ” comes from Latin. From Latin germen, meaning "bud, seed, or embryo" — the same root gives us "germinate.".
Is “germ” a common word?
“Germ” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “germ” have?
“Germ” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a microorganism, especially one that causes disease, such as a bacterium or virus.
