as in loam
a brown or black material in soil that is formed when plants and animals decay
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Recent Examples of humus
When separating clumps, add humus to the new planting area, spread roots out, and water well for smooth transplanting.
—
Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024
In addition to sphagnum peat moss, however, the lightweight potting mix contains humus and perlite, which help provide the necessary aeration and drainage for cacti and succulents.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and all that humus rot.
—Chris Bohjalian, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023
Strobe lights periodically illuminated three large heaps of compost, flecked with humus; a machine puffed artificial fog.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for humus
Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024
In addition to sphagnum peat moss, however, the lightweight potting mix contains humus and perlite, which help provide the necessary aeration and drainage for cacti and succulents.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and all that humus rot.
—Chris Bohjalian, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023
Strobe lights periodically illuminated three large heaps of compost, flecked with humus; a machine puffed artificial fog.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for humus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humus
Noun
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Those interactions spring from the rich loam of history and lore that gives the sport its halcyon glow, and from which even a humble amateur game absorbs vicarious grandeur.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2025
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Emerging research suggests that there can be restorative effects to—for example—hearing birdsong, seeing trees, or smelling pleasant natural scents, such as loam or leaves.—
Kate Siber,
Outside Online,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The topsoil isn’t able to fully purify rainwater, leaving CSP1-3 to absorb leftover carbon and nitrogen.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
9 Apr. 2025
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Use it for pest control by adding a ring of biodegradable litter along the topsoil of outdoor plants to keep slugs, snails, and pests away.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Phosphorus is notoriously slow to dissolve, and because of their microscopic particle sizes, clays tend to hold the phosphorus tightly.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2025
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The storm had loosened the piece of clay from a nearby cliff face.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The hotel’s lobby bar and connected lounge spaces are filled with an impressive collection of African art, from masks to textiles like mud cloth sourced from Benin, the Congo, Ethiopia, and the Tuareg people.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
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When polio workers came door-to-door in late April last year in his village of simple mud and brick houses, the child had a fever.—
Ruchi Kumar,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humus. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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