sterile meaning
UK US /ˈstɛrəl/ 2 syllables
sterile (adjective): incapable of reproducing.
sterile has 3 meanings in this dictionary.
sterile as an adjective
- incapable of reproducing
- an infertile couple
Synonyms: unfertile, infertile
Opposite: fertile
Similar: barren, sterilized, unfertilized
Related forms: sterility
- free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms
- a sterile operating area
- aseptic surgical instruments
- aseptic surgical techniques
Synonyms: aseptic
Similar: antiseptic
Related forms: sterileness, sterility
- deficient in originality or creativity; lacking powers of invention
- a sterile ideology lacking in originality
- unimaginative development of a musical theme
- uninspired writing
Synonyms: unimaginative, uninspired, uninventive
Similar: uncreative
How to pronounce sterile
sterile is pronounced /ˈstɛrəl/ in American English. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Words that rhyme with sterile
Word lists: words starting with ST · words ending in LE · 7-letter words
More about sterile on Wikipedia.