infertile

1 of 2

adjective

in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfər-tᵊl How to pronounce infertile (audio)
Synonyms of infertilenext
: not fertile or productive
infertile eggs
infertile fields
especially : incapable of or unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy
infertile couples
infertility
ˌin-(ˌ)fər-ˈti-lə-tē How to pronounce infertile (audio)
noun

infertility

2 of 2

noun

in·​fertility ˌin+ How to pronounce infertility (audio)
: the quality or state of being infertile : barrenness, sterility

Synonyms of infertile

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Adjective

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Examples of infertile in a Sentence

Adjective an infertile cow is of limited use to a farmer only parched, infertile fields remained after months of drought
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
For as long as a queen is reproducing at a steady clip, all the other females in her colony will be totally infertile. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 26 Aug. 2026 To make the science as simple as possible, a 2018 study found that rats that were fed TPO became infertile among a slew of other health issues. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 21 Aug. 2026 The fact that [Ruben] is infertile and what that means to his manhood, and his ability to be masculine and reproduce and have a son. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026 Women of ideal reproductive age who are infertile, while others in their 40s have no problem conceiving. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for infertile

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French, from Late Latin infertilis, from Latin in- + fertilis fertile

Noun

French infertilité, from Late Latin infertilitat-, infertilitas, from infertilis infertile + -itat-, -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of infertile was in 1597

Rhymes for infertile

See All Rhymes for infertile

Browse Nearby Words

inferrer
infertile
infertility
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infertile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infertile. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

infertile

adjective
in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfərt-ᵊl How to pronounce infertile (audio)
: not fertile or productive : barren
infertility
ˌin-(ˌ)fər-ˈtil-ət-ē How to pronounce infertile (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

infertile

adjective
in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfərt-ᵊl How to pronounce infertile (audio)
: not fertile
especially : incapable of or unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy over a considerable period of time (as a year) in spite of determined attempts by heterosexual intercourse without contraception
infertile couples
an infertile male with a low sperm count
an infertile female with blocked fallopian tubes
compare sterile sense 1
infertility
ˌin-(ˌ)fər-ˈtil-ət-ē How to pronounce infertile (audio)
noun
plural infertilities
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