embryonic

American  

[em-bree-on-ik] / ˌɛm briˈɒn ɪk /

Also embryonal

adjective

1. pertaining to or in the state of an embryo.

2. rudimentary; undeveloped.

   Synonyms:

   unfinished, immature, underdeveloped

---

embryonic British  

/ ˌɛmbrɪˈɒnɪk, ˈɛmbrɪənəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to an embryo

2. in an early stage; rudimentary; undeveloped

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonembryonically
  adverb
• embryonically
  adverb
• unembryonic
  adjective
• pseudoembryonic
  adjective
• nonembryonal
  adjective
• unembryonal
  adjective
• nonembryonic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of embryonic

1840–50; embryon- ( see embryo) + -ic

Explanation

If something is described as embryonic, it's just starting to develop or come together. An "embryo" is a person or animal that is still growing in the womb or egg, and embryonic means "like an embryo." The idea for Facebook was still embryonic when its creators agreed to be partners. At that early stage, none of them could have imagined what an enormous company it would become. Scientists working on embryonic stem-cell research are working on stem cells from embryos, which have special properties not found in any other cells. Our relationship was still embryonic when you suggested we move in together, but for me, the first date is way too early to think about such things.

Related Words

• evolving
• immature
• incipient
• undeveloped