fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs 

plural fungi ˈfən-ˌjī  ˈfəŋ-ˌgī  also funguses ˈfəŋ-gə-səz 

often attributive

: any of a kingdom (Fungi) of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts

Examples of fungus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers gathered 62 people who had never taken a psychedelic before, gave them 19 milligrams of psilocybin, a common psychedelic found in certain fungi, and scanned their brains. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026

Researchers have identified potential alternatives — including seaweed, cassava waste, single-cell proteins produced by fungi and even sewage. — Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Those fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant and tree roots, helping the roots collect water and nutrients from the soil to nourish the plants above. — Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

The other shoes in the collection feature other intricate fungi heel designs that coincide with the ongoing garden theme that has been taking over the shoe industry, ranging from Chanel to Dior to Vans. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fungus

• bracket fungus
• chytrid fungus
• club fungus
• cup fungus
• fungus gnat
• imperfect fungus
• lower fungus
• pore fungus
• sac fungus
• shelf fungus

Rhymes for fungus

• fungous
• tungus

Kids Definition

fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs 

plural fungi ˈfən-ˌjī  ˈfəŋ-ˌgī  also funguses

1

: any of a kingdom of living things (as molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, and mushrooms) that lack chlorophyll, are parasitic or live on dead or decaying organic matter, and were formerly considered plants

2

: infection with a fungus

fungus adjective

Medical Definition

fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs 

plural fungi

ˈfən-ˌjī also ˈfəŋ-ˌgī

also funguses ˈfəŋ-gə-səz 

often attributive

1

: any of the kingdom Fungi of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts

2

: infection with a fungus