A1 noun Neutral

seedling

/ˈsiːdlɪŋ/

A 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.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I am growing a small tomato seedling on my sunny windowsill.

I am growing a small tomato seedling on my sunny windowsill.

2

The researchers monitored the growth of each seedling in the laboratory.

The researchers monitored the growth of each seedling in the laboratory.

3

Check it out! There is a little seedling popping out of the dirt.

Check it out! There is a little seedling popping out of the dirt.

Word Family

Noun
seedling
Verb
seed
Adjective
seeded
Related
seedbed
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the suffix '-ling', which means 'little'. A seedling is just a 'little seed' that has started to grow, just like a duckling is a little duck.

Quick Quiz

The gardener carefully moved the tiny ______ into a larger pot so it could grow.

Correct!

The correct answer is: seedling

Examples

1

I am growing a small tomato seedling on my sunny windowsill.

everyday

I am growing a small tomato seedling on my sunny windowsill.

2

The researchers monitored the growth of each seedling in the laboratory.

formal

The researchers monitored the growth of each seedling in the laboratory.

3

Check it out! There is a little seedling popping out of the dirt.

informal

Check it out! There is a little seedling popping out of the dirt.

4

Seedling survival is highly dependent on the quality of the soil and water.

academic

Seedling survival is highly dependent on the quality of the soil and water.

5

Our nursery specializes in the wholesale distribution of pine seedlings.

business

Our nursery specializes in the wholesale distribution of pine seedlings.

Word Family

Noun
seedling
Verb
seed
Adjective
seeded
Related
seedbed

Common Collocations

plant a seedling plant a seedling
water the seedling water the seedling
fragile seedling fragile seedling
healthy seedling healthy seedling
oak seedling oak seedling

Common Phrases

from seedling to tree

from seedling to tree

nurture a seedling

nurture a seedling

delicate seedling stage

delicate seedling stage

Often Confused With

seedling vs sapling

A sapling is specifically a young tree, whereas a seedling is the first stage of any plant.

seedling vs sprout

A sprout is the very first sign of life from a seed; a seedling has developed its first true leaves.

📝

Usage Notes

Use this word when talking about plants that are still very small and have just come out of the ground. It is common in gardening, farming, and biology contexts.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Do not use 'seedling' for large plants or bushes. It only refers to the very early stage of growth.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the suffix '-ling', which means 'little'. A seedling is just a 'little seed' that has started to grow, just like a duckling is a little duck.

📖

Word Origin

From the word 'seed' combined with the Middle English diminutive suffix '-ling'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural: seedlings Often used with the verb 'transplant'
🌍

Cultural Context

The seedling is often used as a universal symbol for hope, potential, and the start of a new project or life.

Quick Quiz

The gardener carefully moved the tiny ______ into a larger pot so it could grow.

Correct!

The correct answer is: seedling

More nature words

rainforest

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

Vegetation 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

A1

Foliage 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

A1

A 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

A1

Photosynthesis 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

A1

Pollination 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.

sapling

A1

A sapling is a very young tree with a thin trunk. It is the stage of growth after a seed sprouts but before it becomes a large, mature tree.

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