adjective
multicellular
mul-tee-SEL-yuh-lar
Multicellular (adjective) means Made up of many cells, often with different cells doing different jobs. Example: “Animals and most plants are multicellular.”
adjective
1
Made up of many cells, often with different cells doing different jobs.
"Animals and most plants are multicellular."
"A multicellular organism can grow far larger than a single cell ever could."
"Scientists study how simple cells first became multicellular life."
How to use multicellular
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something made of many cells rather than one.
When to use it
It is a neutral scientific term used mainly in biology.
Memory tip
Remember the prefix multi- (many) plus cellular (of cells) to recall the meaning.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
multicellular organism
multicellular life
multicellular organisms
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like multicellular.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Animals and most plants are _____.
Etymology
Formed in English from the prefix multi-, meaning many, added to cellular. It describes something built from many cells rather than just one.
Antonyms
unicellular
monocellular
Related words
Rhymes for multicellular
See all rhymes for multicellular →Frequently asked questions
What does multicellular mean?
It describes an organism made up of many cells rather than a single one, with those cells often specialized for different jobs.
What is the opposite of multicellular?
Unicellular, meaning made up of just one cell, is the standard opposite; monocellular is also used.
Is a human multicellular?
Yes, humans are multicellular organisms built from trillions of cells working together.
What is the meaning of multicellular?
"multicellular" (adjective) means made up of many cells, often with different cells doing different jobs.
