Dictionary
List of exercises
Exercises by level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
OK
Meaning of sterile in English
Pronunciation
/ˈstɛrəl/
US accent
Your browser does not support the audio element.
How to pronounce sterile in American English, in context
▾
Use the controls below
to browse different examples of pronunciation.
UK accent
Your browser does not support the audio element.
How to pronounce sterile in British English, in context
▾
Use the controls below
to browse different examples of pronunciation.
Classifying Adjective
sterile
Definitions
1.
free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms
Examples
« a sterile operating area »
« aseptic surgical instruments »
« aseptic surgical techniques »
Synonyms
antiseptic
2.
deficient in originality or creativity
Examples
« lacking powers of invention »
« a sterile ideology lacking in originality »
« unimaginative development of a musical theme »
« uninspired writing »
Synonyms
uncreative
Qualitative Adjective
sterile
Etymology
late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin sterilis; related to Greek steira‘barren cow’. sterile (sense 2) dates from the late 19th century
Definitions
1.
incapable of reproducing
Examples
« an infertile couple »
Synonyms
sterilized
sterilised
unfertilized
unfertilised
unimpregnated
barren
Antonyms
fertile
See also
unfruitful
impotent
unproductive