germ — a microorganism, especially one that causes disease
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a microorganism, especially one that causes disease
Pronunciation (IPA): /dʒɜːrm/
Example Sentences
- My mom thinks my room is a germ factory because I never clean it.
- The germ of his brilliant idea came from watching his cat chase its tail.
- Hand sanitizer became everyone's best friend during the pandemic to fight germs.
germ
NOUN[/dʒɜːrm/]
a microorganism, especially one that causes disease
Image coming soon
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin germen, originally meaning 'sprout' or 'bud'. The sense shifted metaphorically in the 19th century to denote microorganisms, particularly bacteria and viruses, based on the notion of disease-causing agents as minute living entities capable of growth and multiplication.
Breakdown
germen (Latin: seed, sprout) → germ. The suffix -en marks the Latin nominative form, while the root germ- relates to germination and growth, later applied to microscopic disease-causing organisms.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom thinks my room is a germ factory because I never clean it.”
“The germ of his brilliant idea came from watching his cat chase its tail.”
“Hand sanitizer became everyone's best friend during the pandemic to fight germs.”
“She treats her phone like it's covered in germs and wipes it ten times a day.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.