Word
sperm
US/ˈspɝm/
UK/spˈɜːm/
In Japanese
sperm; spermatozoon
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. All sources.
Definitions
01reproductive cell
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. the tiny cell from a male that joins with a female egg to start a baby.
n. the male reproductive cell or spermatozoon. Countable in biological contexts.
“The doctor explained how the sperm fertilizes the egg during conception.”
“Microscopic analysis revealed that the sperm count was within the normal range for a healthy adult male.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the substance generally.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02whale oil
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical · Archaic
n. a type of oil or wax found in the head of a sperm whale.
n. sperm oil or spermaceti obtained from the head of the sperm whale.
“In the past, people used sperm oil to fuel their lamps.”
“The historical importance of sperm whales was largely due to the high quality of the sperm oil harvested for industrial lubricants.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“New technology may make it easier for men with extremely low sperm counts to have biological children.” “Millions of sperm do not always compete alone—some species send them into action as coordinated teams.” Etymology
From Middle English sperme, from Latin sperma, from Ancient Greek σπέρμα (spérma, “seed, semen”). Compare also Old French esperme, sparme.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. sperm donor
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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