Word
organism
Phoneticsor·gan·ism
US/ˈɔɹɡəˌnɪzəm/
UK/ˈɔːɡənˌɪzəm/
Definitions
01a living thing
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science
n. any living thing, from a tiny germ to a giant whale.
n. an individual living system, such as an animal, plant, fungus, or bacterium, capable of response to stimuli, reproduction, growth, and homeostasis.
Español:organismo
“The pond is full of tiny organisms that you can only see with a microscope.”
“Biologists are still discovering new marine organisms in the deepest parts of the ocean that survive without any sunlight.”
Usage
Countable noun; often used in scientific or academic contexts rather than casual conversation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a complex system
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic · Formal
n. a large system or organization that has many parts working together like a body.
n. a complex structure or organization with interdependent parts whose functions are determined by their relation to the whole.
“The government is a massive organism that changes very slowly.”
“The city functions as a social organism, where transport, housing, and commerce must remain in balance to ensure the health of the community.”
Teaching tip
This is a metaphorical use; learners should use it when describing how different departments or sections of a large group interact.
Real-World Examples
“Scientists are still trying to understand when the first eukaryotes appeared on Earth and how those organisms helped set the stage for complex life.” “Unlike bats or crickets or frogs or whales, earthworms and other soil organisms do not shout to find their way around, nor trill and whoop to attract mates.” “The fossils belong to the Ediacaran biota, a collection of mostly soft-bodied organisms that lived on ancient seafloors more than 500 million years ago.” “On some worlds, gases produced by living organisms may be removed or masked by other processes, making them much harder to detect.” Etymology
First attested in 1701; from organ + -ism, from Ancient Greek ὄργανον (órganon, “a tool, instrument”), from Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- (“work”). Compare New Latin organismus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/organism
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0