species
C1Formal / Scientific / Technical
Definition
Meaning
The most basic unit of biological classification for organisms, referring to a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
A distinct kind or sort, often used in taxonomy or logic; a distinct type within a broader category or genus.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is both singular and plural, though 'specie' refers to coin money, not biology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or form. Both use the identical spelling and identical singular/plural form.
Connotations
Identical in both dialects. Primarily scientific/botanical/zoological, or used to denote a specific type within a category.
Frequency
Slightly more common in BrE due to slightly higher usage of formal/scientific registers in general media, but this is marginal. The word is equally essential in both dialects for the relevant fields.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
species of + noun (e.g., species of bird)belong to the same speciesclassify/categorize as a speciesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A species apart (something completely different, often superior).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in 'business is its own species of chaos' as a metaphor.
Academic
Very high frequency in biology, environmental science, and anthropology.
Everyday
Moderate. Common in news about wildlife, conservation, and documentaries.
Technical
Core term in taxonomy, ecology, genetics, and conservation biology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb in standard usage]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb in standard usage]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The species diversity in the rainforest is astounding.
American English
- Species identification is a key skill for a park ranger.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Dogs and cats are different species of animal.
- This park has many species of birds.
- The panda is an endangered species.
- Scientists discovered a new species of fish in the deep ocean.
- The invasive species has disrupted the local ecosystem's balance.
- Conservation efforts focus on protecting vulnerable species from habitat loss.
- The speciation event that led to the divergence of these two sister species occurred during the Pleistocene.
- Defining a species can be problematic, with concepts like the biological species concept and the phylogenetic species concept often yielding different results.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Special' groups. The 'spec' in 'species' relates to a specific, special kind of life.
Conceptual Metaphor
CATEGORIES ARE CONTAINERS (a species contains its members).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'specimen' (экземпляр). 'Species' is 'вид'.
- Avoid the false friend 'spice' (специя).
- Remember it is both singular and plural, unlike Russian 'виды'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'specie' as singular (incorrect for biology).
- Using 'species' as a plural countable noun and adding 's' (e.g., 'many specieses').
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ˈspiːsiːz/ instead of /ˈspiːʃiːz/.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct statement about the word 'species'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both singular and plural. You say 'This species is rare' and 'These species are rare'.
'Species' refers to a biological classification. 'Specie' is a financial/legal term referring to money in coin form, not paper.
It is pronounced /ˈspiːʃiːz/ (SPEE-sheez) in both British and American English.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically or in logic to mean 'a distinct kind or type', e.g., 'a strange species of anxiety'. However, this usage is formal.
Collections
Part of a collection
Environment
B1 · 47 words · Nature, ecology and environmental issues.