Germ and Root

Germ

Germ noun - The source from which something grows or develops.
Usage example: this hastily scribbled equation on a cocktail napkin became the germ of a new scientific theory
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Synonyms for Germ

Root is a synonym for germ in beginning topic. In some cases you can use "Root" instead a noun "Germ", when it comes to topics like start.

Nearby Words: germinal, German, germing

Root

Root noun - The source from which something grows or develops.
Usage example: one would need to go back at least several hundred years to find the root of the entrenched hostility between the neighboring nations

Germ is a synonym for root in source topic. You can use "Germ" instead a noun "Root", if it concerns topics such as base.

Nearby Words: rooted, rootless, rooter, rooting, rootlet

How words are described

giant giant germ giant root
Cite this Source
Root and Germ. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/germ/root
Germ & Root. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/germ/root>.
Root or Germ. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/germ/root.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "germ" and "root" have occurred on timeline