Word Adjective
infertile
adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌɪnˈfɝtəɫ/ UK /ɪnfˈɜːtaɪl/ in·fer·tile
Definition
adj.unable to have children. It can also describe soil that is too poor to grow crops.
adj.incapable of producing offspring; in a geological or agricultural context, lacking the necessary nutrients or moisture to support plant growth.
Examples
“The couple sought medical help after years of being infertile.”
“The couple decided to adopt after discovering they were infertile and unable to conceive naturally.”
“The region's once-fertile plains have turned into infertile wastelands due to decades of unsustainable farming practices and severe drought.”
Etymology
From Middle French infertile, from Late Latin infertilis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Origin la-lat infertilis
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated