infertile

adjective in·fer·tile \(ˈ)in-ˈfər-t^əl\

: not able to reproduce : not able to produce children, young animals, etc.

: not suited for raising crops : unable to support the growth of plants

Full Definition of INFERTILE

: not fertile or productive <infertile eggs> <infertile fields>; especially : incapable of or unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy <infertile couples>

— in·fer·til·i·ty \ˌin-(ˌ)fər-ˈti-lə-tē\ noun

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Origin of INFERTILE

Middle French, from Late Latin infertilis, from Latin in- + fertilis fertile

First Known Use: 1597

Related to INFERTILE

Synonyms: barren, fruitless, impotent, sterile, unfruitful

Antonyms: fat, fertile, fruitful

Rhymes with INFERTILE

crape myrtle, cross-fertile, sand myrtle, sea turtle, self-fertile, turn turtle, wax myrtle

INFERTILE Defined for Kids

infertile

adjective in·fer·tile \in-ˈfər-t^əl\

Definition of INFERTILE for Kids

: not fertile <infertile soil>

Medical Dictionary

infertile

adjective in·fer·tile \(ˈ)in-ˈfərt-^əl\

Medical Definition of INFERTILE

: not fertile; especially : incapable of or unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy over a considerable period of time (as a year) in spite of determined attempts by heterosexual intercourse without contraception <infertile couples> <an infertile male with a low sperm count> <an infertile female with blocked fallopian tubes>—compare sterile 1