# fungi

/ˈfəndʒaɪ/ (US) · /fˈʌŋɡi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fungi
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

living things like mushrooms, molds, and yeasts that grow on plants or old food. They are not plants because they do not make their own food from sunlight.

For teachers: a kingdom of spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter, including molds, yeast, and mushrooms. Distinct from plants, animals, and bacteria.

## Examples

- Some fungi are safe to eat, but others are very poisonous.
- The damp forest floor was covered in various types of fungi, ranging from tiny white caps to large orange brackets on the trees.
- While often overlooked, fungi play a critical role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead organic material and recycling nutrients back into the soil.

## Pitfalls

- Not "This fungi is edible" but "This fungus is edible" — 'Fungi' is the plural form; use 'fungus' when referring to a single organism.

## Usage notes

- The plural form of 'fungus'; 'fungi' is the standard plural, though 'funguses' is occasionally used in non-scientific contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.