Synonyms for

Organism

Verb / ˈɔ:rgʌˌnɪzʌm / Another word for organism — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

An individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.

Synonyms & similar words

being creature being entity animal plant microbe germ bacterium virus fungus mold yeast amoeba paramecium protozoan insect mammal reptile

Synonyms by register

Formal

entity being life form creature

Informal

critter thing bug guy

Literary

creature being life

Antonyms

inanimate nonliving unliving dead void

Common collocations

  • single-celled organism
  • living organism
  • complex organism
  • microscopic organism
  • simple organism
  • human organism
  • animal organism
  • plant organism

Word family

noun organism
adjective organic

Usage note

While 'organism' is a general term for any living thing, it is often used in scientific or biological contexts. It can sometimes be used informally to refer to a complex system or organization, but this is less common.

Example sentences

  1. The organism in the petri dish was a bacterium.
  2. The organism in the rainforest was a jaguar.
  3. The organism in the garden was a rose bush.
  4. The organism in the ocean was a jellyfish.
  5. The organism in the sky was a bird.

Quotes

  • 'The organism always defeats its own environment.' - Peter Drucker
  • 'Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.' - Theodosius Dobzhansky
  • 'The human organism inherits so delicate an adjustment to his surroundings that for his own good he cannot neglect his own nature.' - Margaret Mead

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