infertile

adjective

in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfər-tᵊl 

: 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 

noun

Synonyms

• barren
• fruitless
• impotent
• sterile
• unfruitful

Examples of infertile in a Sentence

an infertile cow is of limited use to a farmer

only parched, infertile fields remained after months of drought

Recent Examples on the Web

The move would be to the island's infertile interior, which was left uninhabitable due to extensive phosphate mining from the 1900s onwards, which was exported for fertilizer for about 100 years. —Alex Ledsom, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Jackie and Shadow previously welcomed sets of chicks in 2019 and 2022 so fans know the two are not infertile, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025

Everyone knows that 37-year-olds—especially infertile ones—don’t get pregnant on their first try. —Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025

For instance, 1 in 10 people who experience pelvic inflammatory disease become infertile. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for infertile

• fertile
• hurtle
• kirtle
• myrtle
• turtle

Kids Definition

infertile

adjective

in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfərt-ᵊl 

: not fertile or productive : barren

infertility

ˌin-(ˌ)fər-ˈtil-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

infertile

adjective

in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfərt-ᵊl 

: 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 

noun

plural infertilities