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 /

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

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Etymology

Origin of fungus

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

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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

Most black truffles now come from truffle plantations or cultivated truffle grounds, where trees have had their roots soaked in a truffle‑based slurry to encourage the fungus to grow.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

Some frogs may have been naturally capable of tolerating the infection, allowing them to survive even when the fungus was present.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2026

The team analyzed samples from more than 370 preserved amphibians representing 17 species, searching for evidence of chytrid infection and tracking how frequently the fungus appeared over time.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2026

However, the fungus was not formally identified and described until 1999, long after devastating amphibian declines had begun.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2026

The fungus cells reach far underground and so act as a second root system for the plant.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

The Woodland Trust said unsustainable harvesting of plants - and particularly fungi - could put wildlife under pressure.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

Unlike familiar mushrooms, these fungi do not produce true mushroom structures.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

One project uses the microscope to observe interactions among plant cells, fungi, and bacteria as they happen.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

This might make it harder for fungi to evolve ways around a plant's immune system.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

“Here we are among fungi and snakes. It’s clear Crystal is making decisions for Alice.”

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

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

It has a stout sucker, with a honeysuckle grown into it—coming up among the moss, where the great white vase-shaped funguses grew up in the autumn.'

From Dynevor Terrace: or, the clue of life — Volume 1 by Charlotte Mary Yonge

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Related Words

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

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