infertile

1 of 2

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

infertility

2 of 2

noun

in·​fertility ˌin+ 

: the quality or state of being infertile : barrenness, sterility

Synonyms of infertile

Adjective

• sterile
• barren

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

Adjective

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

Queen wasps can live up to a year, while worker wasps, infertile females that build and defend the nest, live two to three weeks. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 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

In the year 2027 (which is somehow just one year from now, please stop, passage of time), Children of Men imagines a world where women have been infertile for years, dooming humanity to a slow extinction. — Grace Dean, Space.com, 2 May 2026

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

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