infertile
Americanadjective
adjective
-
not capable of producing offspring; sterile
-
(of land) not productive; barren
-
Not capable of reproducing.
-
Not capable of developing into a complete organism, as infertile eggs.
-
Relating to soil or land that is not capable of supporting or is unfavorable to the growth of plants.
Other Word Forms
- infertilely adverb
- infertileness noun
- infertility noun
Etymology
Origin of infertile
From the Latin word infertilis, dating back to 1590–1600. See in- 3, fertile
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It could help older women who are no longer have viable eggs, men who don't produce enough sperm or people whose cancer treatment has left them infertile.
From BBC
Deya, who ran a church in London, rose to infamy in the early 2000s, following his claim that he could help infertile couples conceive "miracle" babies through prayer.
From BBC
After these infernos, invasive grasses often took over in hardened, infertile soils.
From Salon
The treatment sent me into an early menopause and it was too late to freeze my eggs, so I was told it's almost certain I'm infertile.
From BBC
A hysterectomy would leave Emily infertile and prompt the menopause, which in turn could increase her risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and dementia.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
