embryonic

[ em-bree-on-ik ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or in the state of an embryo.
2. rudimentary; undeveloped.

   Synonyms: unfinished, immature, underdeveloped

embryonic

/ ˌɛmbrɪˈɒnɪk; ˈɛmbrɪənəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to an embryo
2. in an early stage; rudimentary; undeveloped

Derived Forms

• ˌembryˈonically, adverb

Other Words From

• embry·oni·cal·ly adverb
• nonem·bry·onal adjective
• nonem·bry·onic adjective
• nonem·bry·oni·cal·ly adverb
• pseudo·embry·onic adjective
• un·embry·o·nal adjective
• unem·bry·onic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of embryonic¹

1840–50; embryon- ( embryo ) + -ic

Example Sentences

“This will be the network's most northern point, the starting point of 215km of railway in Estonia and 870km across the three Baltic States,” said Anvar Salomets, CEO of Rail Baltica Estonia, stepping carefully across the embryonic platforms.

From BBC

Equally obvious is how this is all still in the embryonic stage of Bellamy’s time in the international hot seat.

From BBC

American conservatives’ enthusiasm for foreign-based authoritarianism, and their readiness to cooperate with grandees like Orbán or Vladimir Putin, is now well established, a phenomenon I witnessed in its embryonic stage as early as 2016.

From Salon

The leaders of California’s embryonic hydrogen hub announced Wednesday that they have signed a contract with the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Formation of the body axes is a critical part of embryonic development.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• evolving
• immature
• incipient
• undeveloped