fungal

adjective

fun·​gal ˈfəŋ-gəl 

1

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of fungi

2

: caused by a fungus

a fungal skin disease

Examples of fungal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In another, the French agricultural research and international development organization CIRAD led discussions on a hybrid strain of vanilla that is resistant to Fusarium oxysporum, the most common fungal blight threatening much of the world’s commercial crop. —Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025

Through fungal connections, trees share resources and warnings, showing a form of collective intelligence. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

While baking soda may slow the spread of some fungal diseases or reduce compost odor, safer and more effective alternatives are usually available. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 May 2025

One of the researchers behind that last doozy, Dr. Gustav Nyström, and his colleague Ashutosh Sinha from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have cracked a whole new way to leverage the strange and magical properties of fungal mycelium. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 16 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fungal

• jungle
• antifungal

Kids Definition

fungal

adjective

fun·​gal ˈfəŋ-gəl 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling fungi

2

: caused by a fungus

a fungal skin disease

Medical Definition

fungal

adjective

fun·​gal ˈfəŋ-gəl 

1

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of fungi

2

: caused by a fungus

fungal infections