Germ
/dʒɜːrm/
Definitions
2 meaningsA microorganism, especially one that causes disease.
/dʒɜːrm/
A microorganism that causes disease
She caught a cold from germs circulating in the office.
💡 Simply: Imagine tiny, invisible bugs that can make you sick. Those are germs! They're everywhere, so it's important to wash your hands to get rid of them.
👶 For kids: A tiny, tiny bug that can make you feel yucky if you're not careful!
More Examples
Hand sanitizer helps kill germs.
The doctor is trying to identify the specific germ that caused the illness.
How It's Used
"Doctors advise washing hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs."
"The kitchen counter was cleaned to remove any foodborne germs."
The source or beginning of something, like a seed or a potential.
/dʒɜːrm/
A source or beginning; a seed
The germ of a new business idea started with a simple conversation.
💡 Simply: Think of a tiny seed that can grow into something big. A germ is the beginning or the 'seed' of an idea or project.
👶 For kids: The tiny start of something. Like the seed that becomes a plant!
More Examples
The author found the germ of the story in an old diary.
The artist found the germ of the painting by observing the sunset.
How It's Used
"The germ of an idea formed during a brainstorming session."
"The germ of the rebellion was planted long ago."
From Late Latin *germen* (a sprout, bud), from Latin *germen* (a bud, sprout, or seed). It entered English in the 17th century, initially with a broader meaning of 'a source of something' before specializing in the biological sense.
Historically, the term 'germ' could refer to the origin or source of anything, not solely restricted to the biological sense. This broader usage is less common today.
Memory tip
Think of a tiny, harmful creature – a germ is a potential threat to your health.