spore
A very small cell made by some plants and fungi, like mushrooms or ferns. It can travel through the air or water to grow into a new plant or mushroom.
Examples
3 of 5The mushroom releases a tiny spore into the wind.
The mushroom releases a tiny spore into the wind.
The scientist observed the spore using a powerful microscope.
The scientist observed the spore using a powerful microscope.
Check out these spores on the back of the fern leaf!
Check out these spores on the back of the fern leaf!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'S' for 'Small' and 'Seed'. A spore is like a super-Small seed.
Quick Quiz
The wind carries the ______ from the mushroom to a new place in the forest.
Correct!
The correct answer is: spore
Examples
The mushroom releases a tiny spore into the wind.
everydayThe mushroom releases a tiny spore into the wind.
The scientist observed the spore using a powerful microscope.
formalThe scientist observed the spore using a powerful microscope.
Check out these spores on the back of the fern leaf!
informalCheck out these spores on the back of the fern leaf!
Each individual spore contains the genetic material needed for growth.
academicEach individual spore contains the genetic material needed for growth.
The factory must maintain low spore levels to ensure food safety.
businessThe factory must maintain low spore levels to ensure food safety.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
spore cloud
a large group of spores moving together in the air
spore print
a pattern made by placing a mushroom cap on paper
bacterial spore
a protective state used by certain bacteria
Often Confused With
Seeds are larger and more complex; spores are microscopic and simple.
A pore is a tiny opening in skin, while a spore is a reproductive cell.
Usage Notes
Use this word when talking about how mushrooms, ferns, and molds reproduce. It is more technical than the word 'seed'.
Common Mistakes
Don't confuse 'spore' with 'pore'. Remember that mushrooms have spores, but skin has pores.
Memory Tip
Think of 'S' for 'Small' and 'Seed'. A spore is like a super-Small seed.
Word Origin
From the Greek word 'spora', which means 'a sowing' or 'a seed'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In modern pop culture, spores are often mentioned in science fiction stories about alien plants or fungi.
Quick Quiz
The wind carries the ______ from the mushroom to a new place in the forest.
Correct!
The correct answer is: spore
Related Vocabulary
More nature words
algae
A1Algae are simple plants that grow in or near water and do not have ordinary leaves or roots. They can be very small like green spots or very large like seaweed found in the ocean.
fungi
A1Fungi 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.
predator
A1A predator is an animal that hunts, kills, and eats other animals to survive. This word is also used to describe people or companies that take advantage of others.
prey
A1Prey is an animal that is caught and killed by another animal for food. It is the animal that is hunted in nature.
carnivore
A1A carnivore is an animal that gets its food from eating other animals. These animals are often called meat-eaters and have special teeth for hunting and eating flesh.
herbivore
A1A herbivore is an animal that eats only plants, such as grass, leaves, and fruits. These animals do not eat meat or other animals.
savanna
A1A savanna is a large, flat area of land covered with grass and only a few scattered trees. It is mostly found in hot regions, such as Africa and South America, and supports a wide variety of wildlife.
estuary
A1An estuary is the wide part of a river where it joins the sea. It is a unique place where fresh water from the river mixes with salty water from the ocean.
undergrowth
A1Undergrowth refers to the small plants, bushes, and shrubs that grow on the ground beneath the taller trees in a forest or wood. It is often dense and can make walking through the area difficult.
germination
A1Germination is the process where a seed starts to grow into a new plant. It happens when the seed has enough water, the right temperature, and oxygen.
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