Word
abortive
US/əˈbɔɹtɪv/
UK/ɐbˈɔːtɪv/
Definitions
01unsuccessful attempt
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. failing to produce the intended result; stopped before it was finished.
adj. failing to achieve the intended objective; brought to a premature end without success.
“The rebels made an abortive attempt to take over the government building.”
“The company's abortive entry into the European market resulted in significant financial losses and a complete restructuring of the international division.”
Usage
Commonly collocates with nouns like 'attempt', 'effort', 'mission', or 'coup'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02incomplete development
C2 · Proficiency Science Technical
adj. not fully developed or failing to grow properly.
adj. imperfectly formed or developed; failing to reach a mature or functional state.
“The plant had several abortive flowers that never fully opened.”
“The researcher noted several abortive organs in the specimen, suggesting a genetic mutation that halted development in the embryonic stage.”
Usage
Used primarily in botany, biology, and medicine to describe structures that stop growing.
Synonyms
03halting a disease
C2 · Proficiency Medicine Technical
adj. stopping a disease from getting worse or finishing its normal course.
adj. acting to cut short or arrest the natural progress of a disease or infection.
“Early treatment provided an abortive effect on the spreading infection.”
“The administration of the new antiviral drug proved to be an effective abortive therapy, preventing the patient from developing full-blown symptoms.”
Usage
Typically describes a treatment or the course of an illness that ends prematurely.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“We get the story of his proposal of marriage – abortive in the deep south, achieved next to some bins in Edinburgh.” Etymology
First attested in 1382, with the meaning "causing stillbirth or miscarriage". From Middle English abortif, from Old French abortif, from Latin abortīvus (“causing abortion”), from aborior (“miscarry, disappear”), from ab (“amiss”) + orior (“appear, be born, arise”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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