noun

abiogenesis

ay-by-oh-JEN-uh-sis

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Abiogenesis (noun) means the origin of living organisms from lifeless matter, without living parents. Example: “Abiogenesis is the study of how life could arise from non-living chemicals.”

noun

technical The origin of living organisms from lifeless matter, without living parents.

"Abiogenesis is the study of how life could arise from non-living chemicals."

"The lecture compared abiogenesis with the idea that all life comes from earlier life."

"Researchers still debate how abiogenesis might have happened on the early Earth."

How to use abiogenesis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe idea or process of life starting from non-living matter.

When to use it

It is a technical term used mainly in biology and science writing.

Memory tip

The plural is abiogeneses, though it is rarely needed.

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Easily confused with

biogenesis

Common pairings

theory of abiogenesis abiogenesis research

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Can you complete this real example?

_____ is the study of how life could arise from non-living chemicals.

Etymology

It comes from Ancient Greek, combining a prefix meaning 'not', the word for 'life' and the word for 'origin' or 'birth'. The English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley coined it in 1870.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Synonyms

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abiogeny biopoiesis origin of life autogenesis autogeny

Antonyms

biogenesis

Rhymes for abiogenesis

thesis nemesis genesis exegesis diaeresis anamnesis apheresis synthesis antithesis epenthesis hypothesis prosthesis

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Frequently asked questions

What does abiogenesis mean?

Abiogenesis means the origin of living organisms from lifeless matter. It describes life arising without the action of living parents.

Who coined the word abiogenesis?

The English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley coined it in 1870, along with the word biogenesis.

What is the opposite of abiogenesis?

Its usual contrast is biogenesis, the principle that living things come only from other living things.

What is the meaning of abiogenesis?

"abiogenesis" (noun) means the origin of living organisms from lifeless matter, without living parents.