embryonic
Americanadjective
-
pertaining to or in the state of an embryo.
-
rudimentary; undeveloped.
- Synonyms:
- unfinished, immature, underdeveloped
adjective
-
of or relating to an embryo
-
in an early stage; rudimentary; undeveloped
Other Word Forms
- embryonically adverb
- nonembryonal adjective
- nonembryonic adjective
- nonembryonically adverb
- pseudoembryonic adjective
- unembryonal adjective
- unembryonic adjective
Etymology
Origin of embryonic
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.
Vocabulary lists containing embryonic
I'm New Here...
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Double Helix
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Instead, its partial retraction is "rescued" by the rapid pace of early embryonic cell cycles.
From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026
The Ivanpah plant used embryonic solar thermal technology that generated power from hundreds of thousands of mirrors focusing sunlight onto giant towers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025
They rarely work with finished products; instead, they nurture embryonic ideas.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2025
There are real concerns with IVF in America, even for those who do not belong to the movement for embryonic personhood.
From Slate • Oct. 7, 2025
Having been immersed in the development of the atom’s destructive potential, they were hoping to shift as a team into work on the generation of electricity and other such peacetime aspects of the embryonic science.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
