saprozoic

adjective

sap·ro·zo·ic ˌsa-prə-ˈzō-ik

: saprophytic

—used of animals (such as protozoans)

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of saprozoic was circa 1920

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

sap rot

saprozoic

sapsago

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Saprozoic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saprozoic. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

saprozoic

adjective

sap·ro·zo·ic ˌsap-rə-ˈzō-ik

: saprophytic

—used of animals (as protozoans)

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

spontaneous

Listen to the pronunciation of spontaneous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)