fungus
gb/fˈʌŋɡəs/ us/fˈʌŋɡəs/
B2
English
~ 8300
gomba, gombás fertőzés
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
1
gomba
A1
Usage pattern:
[fungus] grows on [something]
Many species of fungus live in the soil and help break down dead plants.
Sok gombafaj él a talajban, és segít lebontani az elhalt növényeket.
The scientist discovered a new fungus growing on the tree bark.
A tudós egy új gombát fedezett fel, amely a fa kérgén nőtt.
Yeast is a type of fungus used to make bread and beer.
The walls of the old basement were covered in a green fungus.
Some kinds of fungus form mushrooms that we can eat, while others are poisonous.
Learner examples
A mushroom is a kind of fungus.
A kalapos gomba a gombák egyik fajtája.
This bread has a blue fungus on it, so we must throw it away.
Kék penészgomba van ezen a kenyéren, ezért ki kell dobnunk.
The old log in the forest was full of fungus.
Yeast is a small fungus that helps bread rise.
The dark, wet room was a good place for fungus to grow.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the plural forms. "Fungus" is singular. The common plural in scientific English is "fungi" (pronounced /ˈfʌŋɡaɪ/ or /ˈfʌndʒaɪ/), but "funguses" is also used in everyday English. Learners may also use "fungus" when they only mean "mold" on walls or food; in many casual contexts, "mold" is the more natural word.
Meaning
simple organism like mold or mushrooms
Collocations
mold and fungus
|bacteria and fungus
|toxic fungus
|edible fungus
|fungus grows on
|fungus species
Synonyms
mold (Refers mainly to fuzzy growths on food or damp surfaces; it is one kind of fungus, not the whole group.)
Antonyms
animal (Contrasts with fungus as a different major type of living thing; not a strict logical opposite but often used for comparison in biology.)
Themes
science
|nature
|health
Definition
A living thing like a mushroom, mold, or yeast that gets food from other plants, animals, or dead things and is not a plant or an animal.
A simple, usually multicellular organism such as a mushroom, mold, or yeast, belonging to the kingdom Fungi and feeding on organic material.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
have a fungus on [body part]
He went to the doctor to treat a stubborn nail fungus.
Elment az orvoshoz, hogy kezeltessen egy makacs körömgombát.
Athletes often get a foot fungus from walking barefoot in public showers.
A sportolók gyakran kapnak el lábgombát attól, hogy mezítláb járnak a nyilvános zuhanyzókban.
The vet said the dog’s ear problem was caused by a fungus.
This cream should clear up the skin fungus in a few weeks.
Because the fungus kept coming back, she needed a stronger medicine.
Learner examples
I have a fungus on my big toe.
Gombás fertőzés van a nagylábujjamon.
The doctor gave me cream for the skin fungus.
Az orvos krémet adott a bőrgombára.
He is afraid to show his feet because of the fungus.
The nurse said the fungus will go away if I use this medicine every day.
You can get a foot fungus if you walk barefoot in the gym shower.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "I have a fungus" without a body part, which can sound vague. It is more natural to say "I have a fungus on my foot" or to use "infection": "I have a fungal infection in my foot." Learners may also confuse "bacteria" and "fungus" and say "bacteria" for every kind of infection; however, some infections are specifically caused by fungi.
Meaning
fungal infection in body or skin
Collocations
foot fungus
|nail fungus
|skin fungus
|treat a fungus
|clear up the fungus
|fungus infection
Synonyms
fungal infection (More explicit and slightly more medical; clearly states that the problem is an infection caused by a fungus.)
Antonyms
healthy skin (Represents the normal, opposite condition where there is no fungal infection on the skin.)
Themes
health
|medicine
|daily life
|body
Definition
A health problem on the body, like on the skin or nails, that is caused by a fungus growing there.
A disease or infection in a person or animal that is caused by a fungus, especially affecting the skin, nails, or other body parts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fungus
IPA
GB/fˈʌŋɡəs/
US/fˈʌŋɡəs/
Syllables & stress
fungus (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (fungus)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: fungus
- Plural: fungi, fungus, funguses
Word family
Forms
fungi
noun
funguses
noun
Core family
fungal
adjective
Related words
fungicide
noun
Negative and opposite forms
antifungal
adjective
Advanced or less common
fungicidal
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.