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Showing results for invertebrate. Search instead for invertebracy.
Synonyms

invertebrate

American  
[in-vur-tuh-brit, -breyt] / ɪnˈvɜr tə brɪt, -ˌbreɪt /

adjective

  1. Zoology.

    1. not vertebrate; without a backbone.

    2. of or relating to creatures without a backbone.

  2. without strength of character.

noun

  1. an invertebrate animal.

  2. a person who lacks strength of character.

invertebrate British  
/ -ˌbreɪt, ɪnˈvɜːtɪbrɪt /

noun

  1. any animal lacking a backbone, including all species not classified as vertebrates

"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

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or designating invertebrates

"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
invertebrate Scientific  
/ ĭn-vûr′tə-brĭt,-brāt′ /

  1. Having no backbone or spinal column.

  1. An animal that has no backbone or spinal column and therefore does not belong to the subphylum Vertebrata of the phylum Chordata. Most animals are invertebrates. Corals, insects, worms, jellyfish, starfish, and snails are invertebrates.

Other Word Forms

  • invertebracy noun
  • invertebrateness noun

Etymology

Origin of invertebrate

From the New Latin word invertebrātus, dating back to 1820–30. See in- 3, vertebrate

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.

In the second major Ocean Species Discoveries collection, more than 20 researchers collaborated to describe 14 new marine invertebrate species and two new genera from across the globe.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2025

Xu, meanwhile, says that decision-making or desire, hallmarks of autonomy, are not something her invertebrate subjects experience.

From Salon • May 13, 2025

After a fire in the area in April 2021, the National Trust conducted a survey for invertebrates and found "a 90% reduction in invertebrate life" from burnt land compared to areas that remained unburnt.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025

Exotic insects have become popular among collectors and invertebrate aficionados across the globe.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2025

In organic chemistry, invertebrate zoology, and the inspired symmetry of Mendelian genetics, I have found a religion that serves.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

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.