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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fungus grows
toxic fungus
fungus spores
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Word forms
- Plural
- fungi, funguses, fungusses
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."
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.
