moss

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   A small, soft green plant without flowers that grows in thick patches on damp ground, rocks, or tree bark.

   Grammar: Can be uncountable (a patch of moss) or countable when referring to different types (many mosses grow here).

   Patterns

   • a patch of moss
   • moss grows on something
   • covered in moss

   The old stone wall was covered in soft green moss.

   Moss grows well in shady, wet places.

   She brushed some moss off the tree trunk.

2. 2noununcountable

   A type of small green plant that grows on damp surfaces and is often used in gardens or crafts.

   Grammar: Uncountable when talking about the material in general.

   Patterns

   • gather moss
   • use moss

   They used moss to line the bottom of the basket.

   The florist added moss around the base of the plant.

Word forms

Common combinations

moss-covered

We walked through a moss-covered forest.

grow moss

If you leave the pot outside, it will grow moss.

a bed of moss

The deer rested on a soft bed of moss.

Synonyms and how they differ

lichen

Lichen is a different plant-like organism that often looks crusty or leafy; moss is softer and usually green.

algae

Algae usually grow in water or very wet places and are not true plants; moss grows on land in damp spots.

Word family

mossy adjective

Covered with or resembling moss.

Commonly confused: moss or moth?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “moss”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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