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

New research suggests they reset to their lowest biological age in early embryonic development, with potential ramifications for longevity science.

From Singularity Hub 

These regions were once thought not to contain any important genetic information but they are now known to contain genes that are involved in fundamentally important processes such as the formation of organs during embryonic development.

From Singularity Hub 

There are no embryonic materials or placenta in the vaccines.

From Washington Post

As a newly minted PhD in 1987, Belmonte published one of his first scientific papers, reporting the results of a study in which he took embryonic cells from a mouse limb and grafted them onto the beginnings of a wing of a chicken embryo.

From Time

Experts shared their views on whether spiral-shaped clouds in deep space were far-off entire galaxies of stars, like the Milky Way, or embryonic solar systems just now forming within the Milky Way.

From Science News

The concept is that the use of human embryonic cells in the manufacture of vaccines is the smoking gun—a major cause of autism.

From The Daily Beast

The 2012 Republican Platform still states definitively: “We oppose federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.”

From The Daily Beast

The ID-1 gene is active during human embryonic development, after which it turns off and stays off.

From The Daily Beast

Jews would have been able to escape Europe to their ancient homeland in what was already a widely supported embryonic state.

From The Daily Beast

Imagine a future secretary appointed by a president who objects to, say, embryonic stem-cell research.

From The Daily Beast

The strong probability is that this gland belongs in the same category with other embryonic survivals yet to be pointed out.

From Project Gutenberg

When an embryonic heart or liver is called on to do a job for a mature organism, there is only one way out.

From Project Gutenberg

The entire activity of this embryonic female reduces itself to this gesture; the greater part of her great sisters know no other.

From Project Gutenberg

The embryonic development of a human being is no different from the embryonic development of any other animal.

From Project Gutenberg

Over and over the employers have crushed the embryonic unions only to see them rise again with added strength.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• evolving
• immature
• incipient
• undeveloped