infertile

[ in-fur-tl or, esp. British, -tahyl ]

/ ɪnˈfɜr tl or, esp. British, -taɪl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR infertile ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not fertile; unproductive; sterile; barren: infertile soil.

Nearby words

Origin of infertile

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

Related formsin·fer·tile·ly, adverbin·fer·til·i·ty, in·fer·tile·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for infertile

The foundation, named after her mother, provides financial help to needy families that are infertile.
Want Blue Eyes With That Baby?: The Strange New World of Human Reproduction|Eleanor Clift|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All too often, infertile women are considered cursed, she said.
IVF for Just $300 Could Be a Reality Soon|Randi Hutter Epstein|August 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But most are not lingering in the foster care system because of a shortage of infertile people who want to be parents.
Can Gay Marriage Solve Our Adoption Problem?|Megan McArdle|March 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Indeed, many think that such uneasiness is an infertile ground to try to make a sale (or for relief of an unbearable urge).
Could Graphic New Anti Smoking Ads Do More Harm?|Kent Sepkowitz|March 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST

According to Family Planning International, about 10 percent of all couples worldwide are or have been infertile.
The Global Infertility Crisis|Anita Allen|November 13, 2008|DAILY BEAST
The infertile ground lying next the subsoil is not what is needed at the surface when preparing for a sod.
Crops and Methods for Soil Improvement|Alva Agee
Today much of his infertile estate of Mount Vernon would hardly grow enough to pay the taxes.
Washington and his Comrades in Arms|George Wrong
A small part is too low and moist for tillage, but a larger part is too rough or too infertile.
Crops and Methods for Soil Improvement|Alva Agee
Balagsang ang mais kay pagawpaw ang gitamnan, The ears of corn lacked grains because the land was infertile.
A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan|John U. Wolff
Infertile eggs cannot heat because the germ has not been fertilized and can make no growth.
The Dollar Hen|Milo M. Hastings

British Dictionary definitions for infertile

infertile

/ (ɪnˈfɜːtaɪl) /

adjective

not capable of producing offspring; sterile

(of land) not productive; barren

Derived Formsinfertilely, adverbinfertility (ˌɪnfəˈtɪlɪtɪ), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for infertile

infertile

adj.

1590s, from French infertile (late 15c.), from Late Latin infertilis "unfruitful," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + fertilis (see fertile).

Medicine definitions for infertile