symbiotic
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of symbiotic
Explanation
A symbiotic relationship benefits both parties. The two of you have a symbiotic relationship: she fixes your car and you style her hair. In biology, symbiotic refers to any diverse organisms that live together, but in this case, the relationship is not necessarily beneficial to both. Parasites, for example, have a symbiotic relationship with their hosts, but only the parasite benefits. If you contract a parasite, you might consider charging rent or throwing the bum out!
Vocabulary lists containing symbiotic
Words to Live By: Bio
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This Week in Pop Culture : January 5 - 11, 2019
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Cosmos
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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.
Kombucha is made when a SCOBY, a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, ferments sweetened tea.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 23, 2026
That symbiotic relationship seems strained now, at best.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
"And they look eye-to-eye on a lot of issues of local governments in the UN… that creates an organic symbiotic relationship."
From BBC ● May 18, 2026
The symbiotic relationship between the federal government and our universities — one that has delivered so much for America, its people and its economy — is now at risk.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 2026
It was a healthy symbiotic relationship, for the Research Corporation would function as Berkeley’s patent agent, and the university would become one of the corporation’s most important beneficiaries.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
