# pregnant

/ˈpɹɛɡnənt/ (US) · /pɹˈɛɡnənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pregnant
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. carrying offspring

adjective · CEFR A2

having a baby or young animal developing inside the body.

For teachers: carrying developing offspring within the uterus. Generally treated as a non-gradable adjective in its literal biological sense.

- My sister is six months pregnant with her first child.
- The study focused on the nutritional requirements of pregnant women during their third trimester to ensure optimal foetal development.

### 2. full of meaning

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

full of meaning or importance, even if nothing is being said.

For teachers: rich in significance, implication, or emotional weight; often used to describe a pause or silence.

- There was a pregnant pause before he finally answered the difficult question.
- The air was thick with a pregnant silence as the jury returned to the courtroom to deliver the final verdict.

### 3. full of potential

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

full of ideas, possibilities, or the chance for something new to happen.

For teachers: abounding in possibilities, creative power, or latent potential.

- The morning felt pregnant with the possibility of a new beginning.
- The philosopher described the era as a pregnant moment in history, where every political decision could reshape the continent for centuries.

## Examples

- She is six months pregnant with her first child.
- After the shocking announcement, a pregnant silence filled the room as everyone waited for a response.
- The author uses pregnant metaphors to suggest a deeper political subtext that only becomes apparent upon a second reading of the novel.

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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.