infertile

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 noun

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
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.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has stated that ovarian reserve markers shouldn’t be used as a fertility test for women who aren’t infertile or whose fertility hasn’t been evaluated. Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026 The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has stated that ovarian reserve markers shouldn’t serve as a fertility test for women who aren’t infertile or whose fertility hasn’t been evaluated. Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026 Many remote lodges, however, are stunted by unfixable geographic challenges, like infertile land. Jillian Dara, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2025 Datini’s bride, Margherita, proved to be infertile; with no one to inherit his business empire, and increasingly concerned about the fate of his immortal soul, Datini left much of his estate to causes benefitting the poor. Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infertile

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of infertile was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infertile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infertile. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

infertile

adjective
in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfərt-ᵊl How to pronounce infertile (audio)
: not fertile or productive : barren
infertility 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 noun
plural infertilities

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