noun

humus

HYOO-muhs

Humus (noun) means the dark, crumbly material in soil formed as dead leaves, plants and animals break down, which holds water and feeds growing plants. Example: “Years of leaf mould had built a deep layer of humus under the trees.”

noun

The dark, crumbly material in soil formed as dead leaves, plants and animals break down, which holds water and feeds growing plants.

"Years of leaf mould had built a deep layer of humus under the trees."

"Sandy soil improves quickly once you dig in plenty of humus."

How to use humus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe rich dark stuff in soil made from rotted plants.

When to use it

Neutral; standard in gardening, agriculture and soil science.

Memory tip

One m for the soil, two m's for the dip.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

hummus → compost → mulch →

Common pairings

rich in humus humus layer build up humus humus content

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Years of leaf mould had built a deep layer of _____ under the trees.

Etymology

From Latin humus meaning 'earth' or 'ground'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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leaf mould organic matter compost

Related words

compost disintegrate

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between humus and hummus?

Humus, with one m, is decayed organic matter in soil and is said HYOO-muhs. Hummus, with two, is the chickpea dip and is said HUUM-uhs. They are unrelated words.

What is the difference between humus and compost?

Compost is the material you make in a heap, which is still actively breaking down. Humus is the stable end product that remains once decomposition has largely finished, and it can persist in soil for years.

How do you add humus to soil?

Dig in or mulch with well-rotted compost, leaf mould or manure, then leave soil organisms to finish the job. Avoiding heavy digging also helps because it protects the humus already there.

What is the meaning of humus?

"humus" (noun) means the dark, crumbly material in soil formed as dead leaves, plants and animals break down, which holds water and feeds growing plants.

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