Symbiotic

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ËŒsɪm.baɪˈɒt.ɪk/, /ËŒsɪm.biˈɒt.ɪk/
• US IPA: /ËŒsɪm.baɪˈɑt.ɪk/, /ËŒsɪm.biˈɑt.ɪk/
• Rhymes: -É’tɪk

Origin

From symbiosis, from Ancient Greek συμβίωσις, from σύν (sun, "with") + βίος (bios, "life").

Full definition of symbiotic

Adjective

1. (biology) Of, or relating to symbiosis; living together.A lichen is a fungus with symbiotic algae among its cells.
2. Of a relationship with mutual benefit between two individuals or organisms.

Usage notes

Although the biologic meaning of symbiotic strictly refers to "living together", regardless of the nature of the relationship, in casual speech the word typically implies a beneficial relationship.

Synonyms

• (with mutual benefit) mutualistic

Derived terms

• symbiotically

Related terms

• symbiont
• symbiote

Noun

1. (astronomy) symbiotic star