fungus

American  

[fuhng-guhs] / ˈfʌŋ gəs /

noun

fungi, plural funguses plural

1. any of a diverse group of eukaryotic single-celled or multinucleate organisms that live by decomposing and absorbing the organic material in which they grow, comprising the mushrooms, molds, mildews, smuts, rusts, and yeasts, and classified in the kingdom Fungi or, in some classification systems, in the division Fungi (Thallophyta) of the kingdom Plantae.

2. Pathology. a spongy, abnormal growth, as granulation tissue formed in a wound.

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adjective

1. fungal.

   a fungus infection of the toenails.

fungus British  

/ ˈfʌŋɡəs, ˈfʌndʒɪk /

noun

1. 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

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

3. pathol any soft tumorous growth

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fungus Scientific  

/ fŭng′gəs /

fungi plural

1. Any of a wide variety of organisms that reproduce by spores, including the mushrooms, molds, yeasts, and mildews. The spores of most fungi grow a network of slender tubes called hyphae that spread into and feed off of dead organic matter or living organisms. Fungi absorb food by excreting enzymes that break down complex substances into molecules that can be absorbed into the hyphae. The hyphae also produce reproductive structures, such as mushrooms and other growths. Some fungi (called perfect fungi) can reproduce by both sexually produced spores and asexual spores; other fungi (called imperfect fungi or deuteromycetes) are thought to have lost their sexual stage and can only reproduce by asexual spores. Fungi can live in a wide variety of environments, and fungal spores can survive extreme temperatures. Fungi exist in over 100,000 species, nearly all of which live on land. They can be extremely destructive, feeding on almost any kind of material and causing food spoilage and many plant diseases. Although fungi were once grouped with plants, they are now considered a separate kingdom in taxonomy.

2. See Table at taxonomy

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• fungic
  adjective
• fungus-like
  adjective
• funguslike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• fungi
  plural
• funguses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of fungus

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin: “fungus, mushroom”; perhaps akin to Greek spóngos, sphóngos sponge

Explanation

Is there a fungus among us? A fungus is a simple organism that's not an animal or a plant. A delicious mushroom is one kind of fungus, while another type of fungus causes nasty infections. The plural of fungus is fungi, so when you order a pizza you can request it "with extra fungi" if you like. Mold, yeast, and mildew are all types of fungi, and there are plenty of edible fungi as well, including truffles and portobello mushrooms. While a fungus may look like a plant, it doesn't go through photosynthesis like plants do and it reproduces through spores.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fungus fungi funguses

The fungus is responsible for chytridiomycosis, a disease that damages the skin of frogs and toads and disrupts their ability to regulate water, salts, and minerals.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

The scans revealed three insects: a fungus gnat, a black fly, and an ancient ant.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 4, 2026

However Oskolkov, who previously discovered ancient fungus in the mummy's guts, cautioned that the yeast samples were only taken in 2010 and 2019.

From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026

A chemical called phenol was used to stop fungus from growing in the body.

From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026

She explains it a little bit more, saying how she could learn about chemistry and fungus and how plants interact with their environment on the cellular level.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

At the heart of current research is the oral microbiome, the community of hundreds of bacteria, fungi and other microbes that live in the mouth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

"It really changed my perspective towards plants," he said, his expressive face lighting up as he explained mycorrhiza, a symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots.

From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026

That study examined how mycorrhizal fungi and plants create highly efficient systems for exchanging carbon and nutrients.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 15, 2026

Learn what the policy does and doesn’t cover; read about the sublimits like a 1% match limit or a $10,000 limit for fungi.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

I needed someone skilled in the arts of hunting and gathering who also knew a lot about the animals, plants, and fungi of northern California.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

After snowball Earth, titanosaurs and dawn redwoods and humongous funguses appear.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 24, 2021

The illnesses most frequently reported by migrants who make it across the jungle are foot funguses, gastrointestinal problems and respiratory infections.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 16, 2021

In 1962, Rachel Carson published the book “Silent Spring,” which convincingly argued that chemicals used to kill insects, funguses and pests were also killing birds and harming the environment.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 4, 2016

This makes your entire body hypersensitive to all forms of irritants, including weather changes, certain food proteins, and funguses.

From New York Times ● Jul. 20, 2010

"My plan is," I added, "to live on berries and funguses."

From Frenzied Fiction by Leacock, Stephen

Related Words

• affliction
• canker
• decay
• eyesore
• infestation
• mildew
• pest
• scourge