WordValesymbiosis
a close, long-term interaction between two species
In more detail
1. (noun) a close relationship between two different living things that benefits both or at least one of them
2. (noun) any close relationship between two people or groups that benefits both
Examples
- 1. Bees and flowers have a symbiosis: bees get nectar for food while flowers get pollinated.
- 2. The symbiosis between the two companies helped them both grow faster.
How to use symbiosis
Symbiosis originally refers to a biological arrangement where two organisms live together in a mutually beneficial or at least non-harmful relationship, but it is widely used metaphorically in business, social, and interpersonal contexts to describe any interdependent partnership. The term emphasizes balance and mutual benefit, distinguishing it from one-sided relationships like parasitism.
Common phrases
- symbiosis between
- symbiotic relationship
- enter into symbiosis
- symbiosis with
- biological symbiosis
Synonyms
mutualism · interdependence · cooperation · partnership · coexistence
Opposites
parasitism · antagonism · competition
Word family
symbiotic (adjective) · symbiotically (adverb) · symbiont (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use symbiosis to mean simply 'living together' or 'coexistence' without recognizing that the term implies a beneficial or at least non-parasitic relationship.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD