fungi
UK: ˈfʌŋɡaɪ | US: ˈfʌŋɡaɪ
n. (plural of fungus) a group of spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter, including molds, yeasts, and mushrooms
The word "fungi" originates from Latin fungus (mushroom), which likely derives from Greek sphongos (sponge), reflecting the porous texture of mushrooms. The plural suffix -i is a Latin grammatical marker for masculine nouns. Over time, "fungi" became the standard scientific plural form in English, while "funguses" is also accepted in non-technical contexts. The root fung- retains its core meaning across biological classifications.
Fungi play a vital role in decomposing dead organic material.
Some fungi, like penicillin, are used in medicine.
The forest floor was covered with various types of fungi.
Scientists study fungi to understand their ecological impact.
Mold and yeast are both examples of microscopic fungi.