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Definition of toadstool

toadstool

/ˈtoʊdstuːl/
toad · stool
Plural:toadstools
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toadstool Lexical Profile

toadstool Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically consisting of a rounded or conical cap on a stalk, especially one of a poisonous or inedible species.

Example

"The guide warned the hikers not to forage for wild fungi unless they could reliably distinguish an edible mushroom from a toxic toadstool."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for toadstool

Word Nuance & Usage

While mycologists do not distinguish scientifically between "mushroom" and "toadstool", in everyday usage "mushroom" typically refers to edible species, whereas "toadstool" denotes poisonous or inedible ones.

• Nearby Words

toadfish
toadflax
toadlike
toadstool
toady
toast
toaster

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 14th century as "todestole", a compound of "toad" and "stool", reflecting the fanciful folk belief that toads—then widely regarded as venomous creatures—used the umbrella-shaped fungi as seats.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Toadstool. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/toadstool
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