Definition of 'fungus'

Word Frequency

fungus

(fʌŋgəs )

Word forms: plural fungi

variable noun

A fungus is a plant that has no flowers, leaves, or green colouring, such as a mushroom or a toadstool. Other types of fungus such as mould are extremely small and look like a fine powder.

Synonyms: mould, mushroom, decay, mildew More Synonyms of fungus

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fungus

fungus in British English

(ˈfʌŋɡəs )

nounWord forms: plural fungi (ˈfʌŋɡaɪ , ˈfʌndʒaɪ , ˈfʌndʒɪ ) or funguses

any member of a kingdom of organisms (Fungi) that lack chlorophyll, leaves, true stems, and roots, reproduce by spores, and live as saprotrophs or parasites. The group includes moulds, mildews, rusts, yeasts, and mushrooms

something resembling a fungus, esp in suddenly growing and spreading rapidly

3. pathology

any soft tumorous growth

Derived forms

fungic (ˈfʌndʒɪk )

adjective

fungus-like (ˈfungus-ˌlike)

adjective

Word origin

C16: from Latin: mushroom, fungus; probably related to Greek spongos sponge

Word Frequency

fungus in American English

(ˈfʌŋgəs )

nounWord forms: plural ˈfunˌgi (ˈfʌnˌdʒaɪ ; ˈfʌŋˌgaɪ ) or ˈfunguses

any of a large division (Eumycota) of thallophytes, including molds, mildews, mushrooms, rusts, and smuts, which are parasites on living organisms or feed upon dead organic material, lack chlorophyll, true roots, stems, and leaves, and reproduce by means of spores: in some systems of biological classification, these organisms are placed in a separate kingdom (Fungi) and are not considered to be plants

something that grows suddenly and rapidly like a fungus

adjective

of, like, or caused by a fungus; fungous

Word origin

L, a mushroom, fungus < Gr dial. (Attic) sphongos, var. of Gr spongos, sponge

Examples of 'fungus' in a sentence
fungus

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And we did all this without trying to get to grips with the plants and fungus.Are any hedges resistant to honey fungus?This is a fungus called white rust which can kill the plants. Blossom wilt is caused by the same fungus that causes brown rot on apple fruits.You may also be able to spot fungus growing.This is a fungus called coral spot.The most likely cause is a fungus called petal blight. Test for honey fungus by cutting back an inch of bark at the base to look for the white sheath underneath.Is this insect or fungus damage?These are caused by a fungus.

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In other languages
fungus

British English: fungus NOUN

A fungus is a plant that has no flowers, leaves, or green colouring, such as a mushroom or a toadstool.

American English: fungus
Brazilian Portuguese: fungo
Chinese: 菌类
European Spanish: hongo
French: champignon
German: Pilz
Italian: fungo
Japanese: 菌類
Korean: 균류
European Portuguese: fungo
Latin American Spanish: hongo

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fungus

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fungus

Source

Definition of fungus from the Collins English Dictionary

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Jan 19, 2021

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