# abacterial

CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abacterial
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

describing something that does not have any bacteria in it. It is often used to talk about medical conditions where doctors cannot find a bacterial cause.

For teachers: characterised by the absence of bacteria; sterile. Often used in clinical contexts to describe inflammatory conditions where no bacterial pathogen is detectable.

## Examples

- The test results show that the infection is abacterial.
- The patient was diagnosed with abacterial prostatitis after multiple cultures failed to grow any harmful organisms.
- While the symptoms mirrored a typical infection, the abacterial nature of the sample suggested that the inflammation was likely caused by a chemical irritant rather than a biological agent.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a predicative or attributive adjective in medical and scientific registers.

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