noun
fungus
FUHNG-guhs
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.
Common pairings
fungus grows
toxic fungus
fungus spores
Word Forms
fungi plural, funguses plural, fungusses plural, fungus plural
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Mushrooms are the visible fruiting body of an underground _____.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin fungus, meaning "mushroom."