fungal
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The spider has elongated structures extending from its abdomen and a pale coloration that gives it the appearance of fungal growth.
From Science Daily • Jun. 17, 2026
Until now, however, scientists had not attempted to estimate and map the physical density and worldwide distribution of AM fungal networks themselves.
From Science Daily • Jun. 15, 2026
Pygmy rattlesnakes showed especially high rates of snake fungal disease.
From Science Daily • May 26, 2026
The research is part of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks’ mission to map fungal networks across the globe.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
It’s the next afternoon and I’m hurrying down the grimy fungal hallway in Guillermo Garcia’s studio because no one came to the door when I knocked.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
