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

She applied the technique both to mouse neurons grown in a dish and to samples from superthin slices of adult and embryonic mouse brain.

From Science Magazine

Cells don’t generally need both, so during embryonic development each cell randomly chooses one X to express genes from.

From Science Magazine

UVA's new discovery offers answers: Excessive stimulation of renin-producing cells in the kidney causes the cells to revert to an invasive, embryonic state.

From Science Daily

While plans for the new competition remain embryonic, those involved insist there is money behind it, with that financial backing understood to be coming principally from the United States, rather than the Middle East.

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

Related Words

• evolving
• immature
• incipient
• undeveloped