noun
germ
jurm
noun
1
A microorganism, especially one that causes disease, such as a bacterium or virus.
"Wash your hands to kill any germs before eating."
"The nurse explained how germs spread from person to person."
2
The earliest form or origin of an idea, plan, or living thing.
"The germ of the idea came to her during a long train ride."
"You can see the germ of his later novels in these early short stories."
3
The embryo part of a seed or grain, such as wheat germ.
"Wheat germ is often added to bread for extra nutrition."
How to Use Germ
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a disease-causing microbe, or the tiny starting point of an idea or a plant.
Common mistake
Not the same as "germane" (relevant) despite the similar spelling — they come from different Latin words.
Easily confused with
germane
Common pairings
spread germs
kill germs
germ of an idea
wheat germ
Word Forms
germed past tense, germs plural, Germs plural, germs singular
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Etymology
From Latin germen, meaning "bud, seed, or embryo" — the same root gives us "germinate."