Health / A2

JURM/dʒɜːm/

A germ is a tiny living thing that can make you ill: kill germs, spread germs, germs on your hands. Bacteria and virus are more scientific. Dirt you can see; germs you usually cannot. Hygiene is how you keep germs down. Do not write gem (a jewel) for germ.

Meaning

A very small living thing that can make you ill.

Examples

• “Wash your hands to kill germs.”
• “Soap and water wash germs off your hands.”
• “Cough into a tissue so germs do not spread.”

Good to know

kill / spread germs. Wider science: bacteria, virus. Mix-up: gem (jewel).

Topics

New