Standard Lemma guide

saprobic

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a saprobe or saprobes; that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable, usually

Topics: biology, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

That contains dead or decaying organic material (and therefore also saprobes).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable, usually

Topics: biology, ecology, natural-sciences

Examples

  • 1969, Wilhelm Rohde, Crystallization of Eutrophication Concepts in Northern Europe, National Academy of Sciences (U.S.), Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences, Correctives, Symposium Proceedings, page 60, Each of the polysaprobic, mesosaprobic, and oligosaprobic zones is now divided into one α- and one β-level, of which the former is more saprobic than the latter.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective

Meaning 3

living in or being an environment rich in organic matter but lacking oxygen

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From saprobe + -ic.