microorganism
gb/mˌaɪkɹoʊˈɔɹɡənˌɪzəm/ us/mˌaɪkɹoʊˈɔɹɡənˌɪzəm/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
C1
entity
1
A living thing too small to see
A very, very small living thing that you need a microscope to see.
Usage pattern:
a microorganism; microorganisms in/on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it like “germ” to mean only harmful things; many microorganisms are harmless or helpful. Also note the plural is “microorganisms.”
Synonyms
microbe (More common and less formal than microorganism.)
|
germ (Common in everyday speech, usually implies something that causes illness.)
Antonyms
macroorganism (A technical opposite meaning an organism large enough to see without a microscope.)
Collocations
harmful microorganisms
|beneficial microorganisms
|pathogenic microorganisms
|microorganisms in the soil
|microorganisms in the gut
|microorganisms on surfaces
|microorganisms in water
|kill microorganisms
|growth of microorganisms
|microorganisms cause disease
Themes
science
|biology
|health
|food
Examples
- Some microorganisms in the human gut help us digest food.
- The lab tested the water for microorganisms that can cause disease.
- Proper refrigeration slows the growth of microorganisms in food.
Learner examples
- You cannot see a microorganism without a microscope.
- Some microorganisms are good for your body.
Grammar
Dictionary form
microorganism
IPA
GB/mˌaɪkɹoʊˈɔɹɡənˌɪzəm/
US/mˌaɪkɹoʊˈɔɹɡənˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
mi - croor - gan - ism (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (gan)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: microorganism
- Plural: microorganisms
Word family
Forms
microorganisms
noun
Core family
microbe
noun B2
microbial
adjective
Related words
microbiology
noun
microbiologist
noun
microbiological
adjective
Advanced or less common
microbiologically
adverb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.