pregnant

preg·nant

adj \ˈpreg-nənt\

Definition of PREGNANT

1

archaic : cogent

2

: abounding in fancy, wit, or resourcefulness : inventive <all this has been said … by great and pregnant artists — Times Literary Supplement>

3

: rich in significance or implication <the pregnant phrases of the Bible — Edmund Wilson> <a pregnant pause>

4

: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gravid

5

: having possibilities of development or consequence : involving important issues : momentous <draw inspiration from the heroic achievements of that pregnant age — Kemp Malone>

6

obsolete : inclined, disposed <your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear — Shakespeare>

7

: full, teeming

— preg·nant·ly adverb

Examples of PREGNANT

1. She got pregnant soon after her marriage.
2. There was a pregnant pause before the winner was announced.

Origin of PREGNANT

Middle English, from Latin praegnant-, praegnans carrying a fetus, alteration of praegnas, from prae- pre- + -gnas (akin to gignere to give birth to) — more at kin

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PREGNANT

Synonyms: big, caught, enceinte, expectant, expecting, gone, gravid, heavy, quick [archaic], with child, with young

Antonyms: nonpregnant

Related Words: parturient, prenatal; childbearing, gestational; brooding; conceiving, impregnated

Near Antonyms: barren, infertile; aborting, miscarrying; delivered

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with PREGNANT

regnant