# infertile

/ˌɪnˈfɝtəɫ/ (US) · /ɪnfˈɜːtaɪl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/infertile
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

unable to have children. It can also describe soil that is too poor to grow crops.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.