foetus

What is another word for foetus? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — An unborn vertebrate animal that already shows the features of the adult form.

We haven't recorded synonyms for foetus yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use foetus

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a developing foetus foetus in the womb human foetus

Foetus is the traditional British spelling, but in medicine and science today, even British writers use fetus.

Etymology

Foetus comes from the Latin word fetus, meaning offspring, taken directly into English as a learned borrowing. It shares this Latin root with the English word fawn, a young deer.

Full origin of foetus →

Frequently asked questions

What does foetus mean?

It refers to an unborn animal, or specifically an unborn human, once it has developed past the early embryo stage.

Is foetus the same as fetus?

Yes, they are the same word. Foetus is the traditional British spelling, while fetus is what doctors and scientists write now, Britain included.

When does an embryo become a foetus?

In humans, the term foetus is used once the embryo has passed the eighth week of gestation.

Nearby words

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