sterile

Meaning

1. (not-comparable) Unable to reproduce (or procreate).
2. (figuratively) Terse; lacking sentiment or emotional stimulation, as in a manner of speaking.
3. (figuratively) Fruitless, uninspiring, or unproductive.
4. Germless; free from all living or viable microorganisms.
5. Permanently uninhabitable (as in a planet like Earth) to all life, including even microbes.
6. Free from dangerous objects, as a zone in an airport that can be only be entered via a security checkpoint.
7. (US) Of weapons: foreign-made and untraceable to the United States.

Synonyms

barren

infertile

unproductive

fruitless

unfruitful

impotent

aseptic

childless

unfertile

futile

abortive

unimaginative

uninspired

uninventive

vain

ineffectual

dry

germ-free

unavailing

effete

idle

unsuccessful

useless

stamen

sterility

stillborn

wasteland

abortional

misborn

acarpous

antiseptic

arid

clean

conceited

desert

🏜️

disinfectant

earthbound

failed

frivolous

hygienic

impoverished

inadequate

indigent

infecund

literal

miscarrying

needy

neuter

poor

sanitary

Translations

stérile

estéril

sterile

unfruchtbar

steril

steriel

estéril

onvruchtbaar

infertile

άγονος

keimfrei

infecondo

kiemvrij

στείρος

estèril

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈstɛɹaɪl/

Etymology

Cognate with Ancient Greek: στεῖρα

In summary

From Middle French stérile, from Latin sterilis (“barren, futile”). See also Ancient Greek στεῖρα (steîra).