anaerobe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Scientific, Technical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “anaerobe” mean?
An organism that lives and grows where there is no free oxygen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organism that lives and grows where there is no free oxygen.
A microorganism, often a bacterium, that does not require oxygen for growth and may even die in its presence. Can be classified as either facultative (able to grow with or without oxygen) or obligate (unable to grow in the presence of oxygen).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Pronunciation may differ slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations.
Frequency
Used with identical low frequency in specialised texts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “anaerobe” in a Sentence
[modifier] + anaerobeanaerobe + that/which + verbVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anaerobe” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sample was tested for anaerobic activity.
- They created an anaerobic environment in the jar.
American English
- The sample was tested for anaerobic activity.
- They set up an anaerobic chamber for the experiment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare; only in highly specific industries like biotechnology or waste management.
Academic
Common in microbiology, medicine, biology, and environmental science textbooks and research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
The primary domain of use; essential terminology in lab reports, medical diagnoses (e.g., for certain infections), and industrial processes like fermentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anaerobe”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anaerobe”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anaerobe”
- Misspelling as 'anerobe' (dropping the second 'a').
- Incorrect pronunciation stress (e.g., /ˈæn.ə.rəʊb/).
- Using it as a general term for any germ, rather than specifically for oxygen-independent ones.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Anaerobe' is a noun referring to the organism itself. 'Anaerobic' is an adjective describing conditions without oxygen or organisms with that trait (e.g., anaerobic digestion, anaerobic bacteria).
No. Many anaerobes are harmless or even beneficial. For example, some gut flora are anaerobes that aid in digestion, and they are used in industrial processes like making yogurt and biogas.
An obligate anaerobe cannot grow in the presence of oxygen and may be harmed by it. A facultative anaerobe can grow with or without oxygen, switching its metabolic processes accordingly.
You would most likely encounter it in a biology textbook, a medical report about an infection (like gangrene or a dental abscess), a scientific paper on microbiology, or in contexts discussing fermentation or wastewater treatment.
An organism that lives and grows where there is no free oxygen.
Anaerobe is usually scientific, technical, medical in register.
Anaerobe: in British English it is pronounced /æˈneɪə.rəʊb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ænˈer.oʊb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AN-AIR-obe' – an organism that says 'NO' to AIR (oxygen).
Conceptual Metaphor
OXYGEN IS A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT (for obligate anaerobes).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of an obligate anaerobe?