fertile
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
describes soil or land that is very good for growing crops and plants.
referring to land or soil that is capable of producing abundant vegetation or crops.
Simple“The valley has very fertile soil, so the farmers grow plenty of vegetables there.”
In context“The volcanic ash had settled over centuries, creating a remarkably fertile plain that supported a dense population of agriculturalists.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
able to produce babies, seeds, or eggs.
biologically capable of reproducing or sustaining the development of an embryo.
Simple“The vet confirmed that the horse was healthy and fertile.”
In context“Couples often seek medical advice when they have difficulty conceiving during their most fertile years.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
describes a mind or imagination that produces many original and interesting ideas.
metaphorically applied to the mind or imagination to indicate a high capacity for generating new ideas or creative works.
Simple“The young author has a very fertile imagination and writes a new story every week.”
In context“The director's fertile mind constantly reinvented classic tropes, ensuring that every production felt contemporary and provocative.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
describes a material that can be turned into fuel for a nuclear reactor.
referring to a nuclide that is not itself fissile but can be converted into a fissile material through neutron capture.
Simple“Thorium is a fertile material that can be used in certain types of nuclear reactors.”
In context“The breeder reactor was designed to convert fertile isotopes into fissile fuel, theoretically extending the lifespan of the available uranium supply.”
UsageUsed specifically in nuclear physics and engineering contexts.
Usage fertile ground
From Middle English, from Middle French fertile, from Old French fertile, from Latin fertilis (“fruitful, fertile”), from ferō (“to bear, carry”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.