What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fungus
Example
The bread had gone bad due to the fungus growing on it. [fungus: noun]
Example
She developed a fungus infection on her toenails from wearing closed-toe shoes all the time. [fungus: adjective]
yeast
Example
The bread dough needed some yeast to make it rise properly. [yeast: noun]
Example
She had to take antibiotics which caused a yeast infection. [yeast: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fungus is more commonly used than yeast in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and contexts. Yeast is primarily used in baking and brewing and is less commonly discussed outside of those contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fungus and yeast?
Both fungus and yeast are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
