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Germs: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿฆ 
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germs

 

[ dส’ษœหmz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

microorganisms

Germs are microscopic organisms, especially bacteria, that can cause disease.

Synonyms

bacteria, microbes, pathogens

Examples of usage

  • Be sure to wash your hands regularly to prevent the spread of germs.
  • Germs can be found on surfaces such as doorknobs and keyboards.
  • Some germs are beneficial for our health, while others can be harmful.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough to avoid spreading germs.
  • Regular cleaning helps reduce the number of germs in your home.
Context #2 | Noun

negative influence

Germs can also refer to negative influences or ideas that can spread and cause harm.

Synonyms

contagions, infections, toxins

Examples of usage

  • Hate and prejudice are like germs that can infect a community.
  • Rumors can spread like germs and damage someone's reputation.
  • It's important to address the germs of corruption before they spread further.
  • Fear can be a germ that paralyzes us from taking action.
  • Negativity can be a germ that spreads quickly in a group.

Translations

Translations of the word "germs" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น germes

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคœเฅ€เคตเคพเคฃเฅ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Keime

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kuman

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผั–ะบั€ะพะฑะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zarazki

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ดฐ่Œ (saikin)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท germes

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ gรฉrmenes

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท mikroplar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์„ธ๊ท  (saegyun)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฌุฑุงุซูŠู… (jarฤthฤซm)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bakterie

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ baktรฉrie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ป†่Œ (xรฌjลซn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ klice

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ bakterรญur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะธะบั€ะพะฑั‚ะฐั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒฅแƒขแƒ”แƒ แƒ˜แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜ (bakteriebi)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mikroblar

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ gรฉrmenes

Etymology

The word 'germ' originated in the 16th century from the Latin word 'germen', meaning 'sprout' or 'bud'. It was initially used in the context of plants to refer to the earliest stage of growth. Over time, the term evolved to also describe the earliest form of a living organism, particularly microorganisms. The understanding of germs and their role in causing disease became more prominent with the development of microbiology in the 19th century by scientists like Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch.

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

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,190, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.