Fungi are microorganisms that can cause infections in humans, animals, and plants. Antifungal agents are drugs that are used to treat and prevent fungal infections. They work by either killing the fungi or preventing their growth. In this article, we will discuss the definition and meaning of antifungal.
Definitions
Antifungal refers to anything that prevents or treats fungal infections. It can be a drug, a chemical, or a natural substance. Antifungal agents are used to treat a wide range of fungal infections, including ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush, and candidiasis.
Origin
The term antifungal comes from the Latin words “anti,” which means against and “fungus,” which means mushroom. The first antifungal drugs were developed in the 1950s, and since then, many more have been discovered.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, antifungal means “destroying or inhibiting the growth of fungi.” The Cambridge dictionary defines it as “a substance that is used to kill or prevent the growth of fungi.”
Associations
Antifungal agents are commonly associated with the treatment of fungal infections, but they can also have other uses. For example, some antifungal drugs are used to treat certain types of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of antifungal include antifungal agent, antifungal medication, antifungal drug, and antifungal cream.
Antonyms
The antonyms of antifungal include pro-fungal, fungal-friendly, and fungal-promoting.
The same root words
Other words that share the same root words as antifungal include antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparasitic.
Example Sentences
- The doctor prescribed an antifungal cream to treat the patient’s ringworm infection.
- The antifungal medication was effective in treating the athlete’s foot.
- The researchers are developing a new antifungal drug to combat drug-resistant fungal infections.
- The antifungal properties of tea tree oil make it a popular natural remedy for fungal infections.
- The patient’s immune system was weakened, so the doctor prescribed an antifungal drug to prevent fungal infections.