fungi
Fungi are a large group of living things, such as mushrooms, molds, and yeast, that grow on soil or old plants. They are different from plants because they do not use the sun to make food, but instead break down dead material.
Examples
3 of 5I saw many colorful fungi growing on the wet tree during my walk.
I saw many colorful fungi growing on the wet tree during my walk.
The scientist is studying how certain fungi help trees communicate in the forest.
The scientist is studying how certain fungi help trees communicate in the forest.
Yuck, there are some green fungi on this old piece of bread!
Yuck, there are some green fungi on this old piece of bread!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Fun Guy' (fungi) at a party. Even though they live in the dark, they are the life of the forest party because they recycle everything!
Quick Quiz
The forest floor was covered in different types of ____ after the rain.
Correct!
The correct answer is: fungi
Examples
I saw many colorful fungi growing on the wet tree during my walk.
everydayI saw many colorful fungi growing on the wet tree during my walk.
The scientist is studying how certain fungi help trees communicate in the forest.
formalThe scientist is studying how certain fungi help trees communicate in the forest.
Yuck, there are some green fungi on this old piece of bread!
informalYuck, there are some green fungi on this old piece of bread!
Fungi are essential for the health of the ecosystem as they recycle nutrients.
academicFungi are essential for the health of the ecosystem as they recycle nutrients.
Our laboratory produces specialized fungi for the organic food industry.
businessOur laboratory produces specialized fungi for the organic food industry.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
edible fungi
mushrooms that are safe to eat
wood-rotting fungi
fungi that grow on and break down wood
poisonous fungi
fungi that can make you sick
Often Confused With
Fungus is the singular form (one), while fungi is the plural form (many).
Plants make food from light, but fungi get food by breaking down organic matter.
Usage Notes
Fungi is a plural noun and should be used with plural verbs (e.g., 'Fungi are interesting'). It is the scientific category that includes common things like mushrooms and mold.
Common Mistakes
Many learners say 'a fungi' when they mean one (it should be 'a fungus'), or they add an 's' to make it 'fungis,' which is incorrect.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Fun Guy' (fungi) at a party. Even though they live in the dark, they are the life of the forest party because they recycle everything!
Word Origin
From the Latin word 'fungus', which simply means mushroom.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many parts of the world, foraging for wild fungi is a common and traditional hobby.
Quick Quiz
The forest floor was covered in different types of ____ after the rain.
Correct!
The correct answer is: fungi
Related Vocabulary
More nature words
rainforest
A1A thick forest in a tropical area that receives a large amount of rain throughout the year. It is a dense habitat known for having many different types of plants and animals.
tundra
A1A large, flat area of land in very cold parts of the world, such as the Arctic. In this area, the ground is frozen and there are no trees, only small plants like moss.
wetland
A1A wetland is an area of land that is always wet or covered with shallow water. It is a very important place where many different plants and animals, like birds and frogs, live.
coral reef
A1A coral reef is a large underwater structure made from the skeletons of small sea animals called corals. They are usually found in warm, shallow parts of the ocean and provide a home for many types of fish.
vegetation
A1Vegetation refers to all the plants and trees that grow in a particular area. It is used to describe the green cover of the earth, like forests or grass.
foliage
A1Foliage refers to the leaves of a plant or tree, considered as a group. It is often used to describe the overall appearance and mass of greenery in a landscape or forest.
canopy
A1A canopy is a cover that hangs over something, like a bed or a seat, to provide shade or protection. In nature, it is the top layer of a forest where the branches and leaves of tall trees meet to form a roof.
photosynthesis
A1Photosynthesis is the natural process that green plants use to make their own food. They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create energy and release oxygen into the air.
pollination
A1Pollination is the process of moving pollen from one flower to another to help plants make seeds and fruit. This is usually done by insects like bees or by the wind.
seedling
A1A seedling is a very young plant that has just started to grow from a seed. It usually has a small green stem and its first few tiny leaves.
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