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infertile

C2
adjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ɪnfˈɜːtaɪl/

US

  • /ˌɪnˈfɜrtəl/

Description

The word "infertile" is most often used for a person or animal that cannot produce children or young. It can also describe land that does not grow plants or crops well. In both cases, the idea is the same: something is not able to produce life in the usual way. When the word is used about people, it can feel very personal, so it should be used with care.

Examples

  1. 1

    Medical diagnosis

    After two years of trying for a baby, they discovered that he was infertile.

  2. 2

    Health consequence

    The illness did not threaten her life, but it could leave her infertile.

  3. 3

    Farming land

    Much of the region is dry and infertile, so farmers depend on irrigation.

  4. 4

    Environmental damage

    Centuries of overgrazing turned the once fertile valley into infertile land.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • infertileadjective