# mushroom

/ˈməʃɹum/ (US) · /mˈʌʃɹuːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mushroom
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. fungus/food

noun · CEFR A1

a fungus with a stem and a round top, often grown for food.

For teachers: the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or a food source.

- I added some sliced mushrooms to the pasta sauce for extra flavour.
- The chef foraged for wild mushrooms in the forest, carefully avoiding the toxic varieties that closely resemble edible species.

### 2. something that grows fast

noun · CEFR B2

something that appears or grows very suddenly.

For teachers: an object or entity that appears or develops with remarkable speed, often used figuratively.

- New apartment buildings appeared like mushrooms all over the city.
- The sudden appearance of these tech startups, growing like mushrooms in the industrial district, transformed the local economy within a single decade.

### 3. architecture

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a strong concrete post with a wide top used to hold up a ceiling.

For teachers: a reinforced concrete column with a flared head, designed to support a flat slab without the need for beams.

- The garage used mushroom columns to support the heavy concrete floor above.
- The architect specified mushroom construction for the warehouse to maximise vertical clearance and ensure even load distribution across the floor slabs.

### 6. shaped like a mushroom

adjective · CEFR B2

having the shape or look of a mushroom.

For teachers: resembling a mushroom in form, particularly having a narrow base and a broad, rounded top.

- The explosion created a huge mushroom cloud in the sky.
- The designer chose a mushroom lamp for the bedside table, citing its soft curves and mid-century aesthetic.

## Examples

- I added some sliced mushroom to the pasta sauce.
- After the heavy rain, several small white mushrooms appeared on the lawn overnight.
- Foraging for wild mushrooms requires extensive knowledge, as many edible species have toxic look-alikes that can cause severe illness if consumed.

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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.