infertile

[in-fur-tl, -tahyl]

adjective

1. not fertile; unproductive; sterile; barren.

   infertile soil.

infertile

/ ˌɪnfəˈtɪlɪtɪ, ɪnˈfɜːtaɪl /

adjective

1. not capable of producing offspring; sterile

2. (of land) not productive; barren

infertile

1. Not capable of reproducing.

2. Not capable of developing into a complete organism, as infertile eggs.

3. Relating to soil or land that is not capable of supporting or is unfavorable to the growth of plants.

Other Word Forms

• infertilely adverb
• infertility noun
• infertileness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infertile¹

From the Latin word infertilis, dating back to 1590–1600. See in- ³, fertile

Example Sentences

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.

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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.

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After these infernos, invasive grasses often took over in hardened, infertile soils.

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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.

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A hysterectomy would leave Emily infertile and prompt the menopause, which in turn could increase her risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and dementia.

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Related Words

• impotent 
• sterile