dimorph: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / TechnicalTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “dimorph” mean?
Existing in, or having, two distinct forms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Existing in, or having, two distinct forms.
Used in biology and related sciences to describe an organism, especially a fungus, or a chemical compound, that exhibits two different morphological or crystalline forms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage between BrE and AmE, as it is a technical term.
Connotations
Purely denotative, with no cultural or social connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “dimorph” in a Sentence
[substance/organism] is a dimorphthe dimorph [exhibits/shows/transforms]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dimorph” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The dimorphic fungus was studied under the microscope.
- They observed a dimorphic reaction to the temperature change.
American English
- The dimorphic fungus was studied under the microscope.
- They observed a dimorphic reaction to the temperature change.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used almost exclusively in scientific writing (biology, chemistry, geology, materials science).
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core usage domain. E.g., 'The fungus is a dimorph, growing as a yeast at body temperature.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dimorph”
- Using 'dimorph' as a verb (e.g., 'It dimorphs').
- Using it in non-scientific contexts where 'has two forms' would be clearer.
- Misspelling as 'demorph' or 'dimorf'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare and highly specialised scientific term.
No. The related adjective is 'dimorphic', and the noun for the state is 'dimorphism'. 'Dimorph' itself is a noun.
The fungus Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorph. In the environment, it grows as a mould, but in the human body, it transforms into a yeast form.
A 'dimorph' has exactly two distinct forms. A 'polymorph' has multiple (more than two) distinct forms.
Existing in, or having, two distinct forms.
Dimorph is usually technical/scientific in register.
Dimorph: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdʌɪmɔːf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdaɪˌmɔːrf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DI-MORPH: DI (two) + MORPH (form). Two forms, like a werewolf and a human.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHAPE-SHIFTER (a being that can take two distinct physical shapes).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'dimorph' MOST likely to be used?