germ
Germ (noun) means a microorganism, especially one that causes disease, such as a bacterium or virus. Example: “Wash your hands to kill any germs before eating.”
How to use germ
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a disease-causing microbe, or the tiny starting point of an idea or a plant.
Not the same as "germane" (relevant) despite the similar spelling — they come from different Latin words.
Word forms
germed past tense, germs plural, Germs plural, germs singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Wash your hands to kill any _____ before eating.
Etymology
From Latin germen, meaning "bud, seed, or embryo" — the same root gives us "germinate."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for germ
See all rhymes for 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.