B2nounsciencehealth
US/bækˈtɪr.i.ə/
UK/bækˈtɪə.ri.ə/
very small living things, some of which cause disease and some of which are useful
In context
Some bacteria in your stomach help you digest food.
Washing your hands with soap kills harmful bacteria on the skin.
The infection was caused by bacteria that had entered through a small cut.
Words that go with bacteria
adjective + noun
- harmful bacteriaCooking meat properly destroys harmful bacteria.
- resistant bacteriaOverusing antibiotics produces resistant bacteria.
- good bacteriaYogurt contains good bacteria that help your gut.
verb + noun
- kill bacteriaBoiling water will kill bacteria.
- spread bacteriaDirty hands can spread bacteria to food.
- contain bacteriaRaw chicken can contain bacteria that make you sick.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
a bacteriaCorrect: a bacterium / bacteria
Incorrect:
The bacteria is dangerous.Correct: The bacteria are dangerous.