"Germ" vs. "bacterium" – a microscopic exploration

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 08/10/2024, 20:40

English.me team member

Germ and bacterium. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both terms are related to microbiology and refer to microscopic organisms. Both can cause diseases in humans and other living organisms.

What is different?

Germ is a broad term that can refer to bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other microorganisms, while bacterium specifically refers to a single microscopic cellular organism that belongs to the domain Bacteria. Germ is often used in a more general context, sometimes referring to anything that causes disease, whereas bacterium is a scientific term used to classify and describe specific types of microorganisms.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Germ

Washing your hands frequently can help prevent the spread of germs.
The common cold is caused by a virus, which is one type of germ.
He used disinfectant wipes to kill germs on the kitchen counter.

Bacterium

Escherichia coli is a well-known bacterium often used in scientific research.
Not all bacteria are harmful; in fact, many play beneficial roles in our bodies.
The bacterium was identified under the microscope as part of the infection diagnostics process.