English Reference

Word

infertility

Phoneticsin·fer·til·i·ty

US/ˌɪnfɝˈtɪɫɪˌti/

UK/ɪnfɜːtˈɪlɪti/

Definition

n. the condition of being unable to have a baby naturally after trying for a long time.

n. the physiological inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after a period of regular unprotected intercourse.

Examples

“The couple sought medical advice regarding their infertility.”

“Advances in reproductive medicine have provided new options for couples struggling with infertility to start a family.”

“While often discussed as a female health issue, infertility affects men and women in roughly equal proportions, frequently stemming from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.”

Examples

simple

“The couple sought medical advice regarding their infertility.”

contextual

“Advances in reproductive medicine have provided new options for couples struggling with infertility to start a family.”

complex

“While often discussed as a female health issue, infertility affects men and women in roughly equal proportions, frequently stemming from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.”

Usage

Often used in medical contexts; frequently paired with the preposition 'in' when referring to a specific group.

Real-World Examples

“They are also used to investigate cases of unexplained infertility or recurrent miscarriage, to remove uterine fibroids, polyps or scar tissue.”
The Guardian · 16 Aug 2026
“Known as the Kanyeleng, the women have transformed their experience of infertility and child loss through a tradition of music.”
Al Jazeera · 14 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Middle French infertilité, from Late Latin infertilitas.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference