Etymology Map
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Fungus

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a spore-producing organism such as a mushroom

Where does the word "fungus" come from? It comes from Latin fungus, adopted directly into English (1520s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
fungus
Latin · ancient
"mushroom"
possibly from Greek 'spongos', sponge
2
Stage 2 of 2
fungus
English · 1520s
"mushroom"
the plural 'fungi' keeps the Latin form
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Read the full story

Fungus’s story begins in Latin: fungus meant “mushroom.” Possibly from Greek 'spongos', sponge. It reached English by 1520s as fungus. The plural 'fungi' keeps the Latin form. Today, fungus means a spore-producing organism such as a mushroom.