fungal

American  

[fuhng-guhl] / ˈfʌŋ gəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or caused by a fungus or fungi.

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fungal British  

/ ˈfʌŋɡəl /

adjective

1. of, derived from, or caused by a fungus or fungi

   fungal spores

   a fungal disease

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Other Word Forms

• antifungal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of fungal

First recorded in 1825–35; from New Latin fungālis; see fungus, -al ¹

Explanation

Fungal things have something to do with a fungus, or an organism that produces spores. The most familiar fungal species are mushrooms. Yeasts and molds are fungal, and if you see a mildewed area on the wall of your shower, you can say, "Will someone please clean this fungal mess?" The fungal organisms that bear fruit are mushrooms, which you might think of as plants but which really exist in an entirely separate category from plants and animals. Fungal and fungus both come from the Latin, with the probable Greek root sphongos, "sponge."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fungal

Kennedy participated in a roundtable discussion about raising awareness for fungal and mold disease and improving access to care.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

Mr. Boorman managed to injure himself gravely by whipping up dust storms on the Warner Bros. lot; fungal spores got into his lungs and he contracted a rare, sometimes debilitating disease called Valley Fever.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

They probably fed on humus, decaying plant material, and fungal spores.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026

The data behind the maps are publicly available, giving governments and other decision-makers new tools for monitoring the health of underground fungal communities.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 15, 2026

“Feet with roots, that’s called a fungal infection,” Poet told the wandering boy.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys