symbiotic

1. not comparablebiologyOf, or relating to symbiosis; living together.

   A lichen is a fungus with symbiotic algae among its cells.

   1 more example

   Orchids rely on fungi to reproduce. Their tiny seeds don't have any on-board nutrients (like beans and apples) and will not germinate until they are infected by a symbiotic fungus which supplies them with food. Known as a protocorm, this tiny orchid-fungus ball grows, turns green and eventually starts to photosynthesise.

   2014 April 5, “Quite interesting: A quietly intriguing column from the brains behind QI, the BBC quiz show. This week; QI orchids you not”, in The Daily Telegraph (Weekend), page W22

2. broadlyinformalnot comparableOf a relationship with mutual benefit between two individuals, organisms, or groups.

   While pro-tech influencers like podcast host Lex Fridman have for years formed a symbiotic relationship with tech elites like Elon Musk, some firms have decided this year to cut out the middleman entirely.

   2025 November 29, Nick Robins-Early, “How big tech is creating its own friendly media bubble to ‘win the narrative battle online’”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   1 more example

   [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's] arguably symbiotic relationship with Hamas goes back to his election in 1996, when he upset left-wing incumbent Shimon Peres following a spate of Hamas bombings, which Mr. Netanyahu said proved the peace process could not be trusted.

   2025 January 30, Dina Kraft, “How Gaza hostage-release drama works for both Hamas and Netanyahu”, in The Christian Science Monitor

   Synonyms: mutualistic

plural symbiotics

1. astronomyA symbiotic star.