Fungi vs. Fungus — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 21, 2023
Fungus is a singular term referring to a single organism of a specific type of spore-producing life form, like a mushroom. Fungi is the plural form of fungus, referring to multiple such organisms collectively.
Difference Between Fungi and Fungus
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Fungus and fungi are terms related to the kingdom of spore-producing organisms, which include mushrooms, molds, and yeasts. Fungus is the singular form that refers to a single organism, while fungi is the plural form that refers to more than one organism of this type. These terms are essential for identifying and classifying organisms in mycology, the study of fungi.
Both fungus and fungi can be used in different contexts. In a scientific setting, one might say, "This fungus belongs to the Basidiomycota phylum," to indicate a particular type of fungus. On the other hand, one might say, "These fungi are crucial for nutrient recycling in the ecosystem," referring to various fungi collectively.
Grammatically, the word fungus is a noun that requires singular verbs and pronouns. For example, "The fungus is growing." Fungi, being plural, require plural verbs and pronouns. For instance, "The fungi are diverse." Both words originate from Latin, where "fungus" means mushroom, and "fungi" is the plural form of the word.
In summary, fungus refers to a single organism, and fungi refer to multiple organisms within this category. While both words function as nouns, the former is singular and the latter is plural. They are often used in scientific contexts but are also familiar to the general public, especially those interested in mycology or cooking.
Comparison Chart
Number
Plural
Singular
ADVERTISEMENT
Context Usage
Refers to multiple organisms
Refers to a single organism
Grammatical Number
Requires plural verbs
Requires singular verbs
Example Use Case
Scientific, culinary
Scientific, culinary
Origin
Latin
Latin
Compare with Definitions
Fungi
Fungi are spore-producing organisms that include molds, mushrooms, and yeasts.
Fungi play a crucial role in decomposing organic matter.
Fungus
A fungus is a spore-producing organism belonging to the Fungi kingdom.
A mushroom is a type of fungus.
Fungi
Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually.
Some fungi produce spores for reproduction.
Fungus
A fungus can be either a mold, yeast, or mushroom.
Black mold is a harmful fungus.
Fungi
Fungi can be unicellular or multicellular organisms.
Yeasts are unicellular fungi.
Fungus
A fungus is a heterotrophic organism that absorbs nutrients.
The fungus obtained nutrients from decaying wood.
Fungi
Fungi form a separate kingdom in the biological classification.
Fungi are neither plants nor animals.
Fungus
A fungus can reproduce through spores.
The mushroom released spores to reproduce.
Fungi
A plural of fungus.
Fungus
A fungus can be pathogenic, causing diseases in plants and animals.
Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus.
Fungi
(pathology) Spongy, abnormal growth, as granulation tissue formed in a wound.
Fungus
A fungus (plural: fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from the other eukaryotic kingdoms, those being Plantae, Animalia, Protozoa, and Chromista.
Fungi
Alternative spelling of fungee
Fungus
Any of numerous spore-producing eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Fungi, which lack chlorophyll and vascular tissue and range in form from a single cell to a mass of branched filamentous hyphae that often produce specialized fruiting bodies. The kingdom includes the yeasts, smuts, rusts, mushrooms, and many molds, excluding the slime molds and the water molds.
Fungi
A style of folk and popular music from the Virgin Islands, traditionally performed by bands consisting of banjo, guitar, ukulele, and washboard with various percussion instruments on rhythm.
Fungus
(mycology) Any member of the kingdom Fungi; a eukaryotic organism typically having chitin cell walls but no chlorophyll or plastids. Fungi may be unicellular or multicellular.
Fungi
A group of thallophytic plant-like organisms of low organization, destitute of chlorophyll, in which reproduction is mainly accomplished by means of asexual spores, which are produced in a great variety of ways, though sexual reproduction is known to occur in certain Phycomycetes, or so-called algal fungi. They include the molds, mildews, rusts, smuts, mushrooms, toadstools, puff balls, and the allies of each. In the two-kingdom classification system they were classed with the plants, but in the modern five-kingdom classification, they are not classed as plants, but are classed in their own separate kingdom fungi, which includes the phyla Zygomycota (including simple fungi such as bread molds), Ascomycota (including the yeasts), Basidiomycota (including the mushrooms, smuts, and rusts), and Deuteromycota (the fungi imperfecti). Some of the forms, such as the yeasts, appear as single-celled microorganisms, but all of the fungi are are eukaryotic, thus distinguishing them from the prokaryotic microorganisms of the kingdon Monera.
Fungus
A spongy, abnormal excrescence, such as excessive granulation tissue formed in a wound.
Fungi
The taxonomic kingdom of lower plants
Fungus
Any one of the Fungi, a large and very complex group of thallophytes of low organization, - the molds, mildews, rusts, smuts, mushrooms, toadstools, puff balls, and the allies of each. See fungi.
Fungi
(pun) the one who buys the drinks
Fungus
A spongy, morbid growth or granulation in animal bodies, as the proud flesh of wounds.
Fungi
Fungi are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients through absorption.
Fungi absorb nutrients from the soil.
Fungus
A parasitic plant lacking chlorophyll and leaves and true stems and roots and reproducing by spores
Common Curiosities
Is fungus singular or plural?
Fungus is singular.
What does fungi mean?
Fungi is the plural form of fungus, referring to multiple such organisms.
Are all fungi mushrooms?
No, fungi include molds and yeasts as well.
How do fungi get their nutrients?
Fungi are heterotrophic and absorb nutrients.
Are there beneficial fungi?
Yes, some fungi are beneficial for nutrient cycling and food production.
Can a fungus be harmful?
Yes, some fungi can be pathogenic and cause diseases.
Is the term fungi only used in science?
No, it's also used in culinary contexts.
Are fungi plants?
No, fungi form a separate kingdom.
What is a fungal infection?
It's an infection caused by pathogenic fungi.
Are fungi multicellular?
Some are multicellular, but yeasts are unicellular.
Can fungi cause allergies?
Yes, some fungi like mold can cause allergic reactions.
How do fungi reproduce?
Fungi can reproduce both sexually and asexually, often through spores.
Can fungi be eaten?
Yes, some fungi like certain mushrooms are edible.
Can you see fungi with the naked eye?
Some, like mushrooms, are visible, but many molds and yeasts are microscopic.
How are fungi classified?
They are classified based on characteristics like structure and reproduction.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Oncologic vs. Oncological
Next Comparison
Squish vs. SquashAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
