in vitro
1 antonym for in vitro — opposites grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Taking place in a test tube, dish or other laboratory container rather than inside a living body.
Antonyms
in vivo
How to use in vitro
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
in vitro fertilisation
in vitro study
in vitro model
Technical and medical; borrowed from Latin, and often set in italics in academic writing.
Etymology
From Latin in vitro, literally "in glass", a reference to the glass vessels used in laboratory work.
Full origin of in vitro →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between in vitro and in vivo?
In vitro means outside a living organism, in glassware or a culture dish; in vivo means inside a living organism, such as in a mouse or a human patient. A drug can work in vitro and still fail in vivo because a living body absorbs and breaks it down differently.
Is in vitro the same as IVF?
Not quite. IVF stands for in vitro fertilisation, which is one specific application. In vitro on its own is a general scientific term covering any experiment done outside the body.
How do you pronounce in vitro?
The most common English pronunciation is in VEE-troh, though in VIT-roh is also heard, particularly in the United States. Both are accepted.
