Germ: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿฆ 
Add to dictionary

germ

 

[ dส’ษœหm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

microorganism

A microorganism, especially one that causes disease. Germs can be bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens.

Synonyms

bacterium, microbe, virus.

Examples of usage

  • Be sure to wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading germs.
  • The flu is caused by a virus, which is a type of germ.
Context #2 | Noun

idea

A seed or origin of an idea, feeling, or action. It can also refer to a small amount of something.

Synonyms

origin, seed, source.

Examples of usage

  • The germ of the novel came to her in a dream.
  • There was a germ of truth in what he said.

Translations

Translations of the word "germ" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น gรฉrmen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคœเฅ€เคตเคพเคฃเฅ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Keim

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kuman

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐั€ะพะดะพะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zarodek

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ƒš่Šฝ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท germe

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ germen

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tohum

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐฐ์•„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฌุฑุซูˆู…ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zรกrodek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zรกrodok

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ƒš่Šฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kalฤek

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kรญm

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ าฑั€ั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒฅแƒขแƒ”แƒ แƒ˜แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mikrob

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ germen

Etymology

The word 'germ' originated from the Latin word 'germen', meaning 'sprout' or 'bud'. It was first used in English in the 17th century to refer to a microorganism. Over time, the term expanded to include the idea of a seed or origin of something. Today, 'germ' is commonly used in both contexts.

See also: germicidal, germicide, germinate, germination, germs.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,451 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.