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

By binding to molecules the fungus uses during infection, these regions help plants recognize the presence of an invading pathogen and activate their defenses.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

The target of the research is Magnaporthe oryzae, the fungus responsible for blast disease.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

"It smells horrible," he said, explaining the fungus attracts flies which help spread its spores.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026

But a weakening economy and ferocious domestic competition has also made the fungus a symbol of the challenges many are facing in China’s difficult economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

If there is a statue on the grave it will be headless or so scabbed with fungus and lichens as to look like a fungus itself.

From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman

Researchers have identified potential alternatives — including seaweed, cassava waste, single-cell proteins produced by fungi and even sewage.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

Vitamin D2, also called ergocalciferol, is commonly produced from fungi or yeast exposed to ultraviolet light.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

The ministry and the industry emphasised overall the "excellent health" of the harvest, free of fungi and other moisture-related diseases.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

Eukaryotes – including all animals, plants, algae and fungi – are very different.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 27, 2026

The fungi were far too elusive, the giant beasts too ferocious.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

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

Whereby German affairs are come to be greatly overgrown with funguses in our time, and give symptoms of dry and of wet rot wherever handled.—History of Frederick the Great, vol.

From Study and Stimulants; Or, the Use of Intoxicants and Narcotics in Relation to Intellectual Life by Alfred Arthur Reade

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Related Words

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

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