noun
Common
fertility
fuh-TIH-lih-tee
Fertility (noun) means the ability to produce offspring or, of land, to grow crops abundantly. Example: “The clinic specialises in treating fertility problems.”
noun
1
The ability to produce offspring or, of land, to grow crops abundantly.
"The clinic specialises in treating fertility problems."
"Crop rotation helps maintain the fertility of the soil."
"The valley is famous for the fertility of its river soil."
2
The rate of births within a population.
"The country's fertility rate has fallen sharply over the last decade."
"Many countries worry about falling fertility as their populations grow older."
"Experts study fertility to predict how many schools a town will need."
How to use fertility
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe capacity to reproduce or grow abundantly — used for people, soil, and population statistics alike.
Common pairings
fertility treatment
fertility rate
soil fertility
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Word forms
- Plural
- fertilities
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The clinic specialises in treating _____ problems.
Etymology
From Latin fertilitas, from fertilis, "fruitful."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fertility
See all rhymes for fertility →Frequently asked questions
What does “fertility” mean?
The word “fertility” means the ability to produce offspring or, of land, to grow crops abundantly. In plain terms, the capacity to reproduce or grow abundantly — used for people, soil, and population statistics alike.
How do you pronounce “fertility”?
“Fertility” is pronounced fuh-TIH-lih-tee (/fɝˈtɪləti/ in IPA).
How do you use “fertility” in a sentence?
Here is “fertility” used in a sentence: “The clinic specialises in treating fertility problems.”
What is another word for “fertility”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fertility” include fecundity and fertileness.
What is the opposite of “fertility”?
The opposite of “fertility” — its antonyms — is infertility.
What part of speech is “fertility”?
“Fertility” is a noun.
Where does the word “fertility” come from?
The word “fertility” comes from Latin. From Latin fertilitas, from fertilis, "fruitful.".
Is “fertility” a common word?
“Fertility” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "fertility" and "fecundity"?
The two terms are closely related and often used interchangeably, but "fertility" typically refers to actual reproductive capacity or observed birth rates, while "fecundity" in scientific contexts more specifically refers to potential or theoretical reproductive output.
What is the difference between a "fertility rate" and a "birth rate"?
A "fertility rate" usually measures the average number of children born per woman in a population, while a "birth rate" measures the total number of live births per thousand people, regardless of how those births are distributed among women.
Can "fertility" describe land as well as people?
Yes. "Fertility" can describe the ability of soil or land to grow crops abundantly, in addition to describing the reproductive capacity of humans, animals, or plants.
Is "fertility" the opposite of "infertility"?
Yes. "Infertility" describes the inability to conceive or produce offspring, making it the direct opposite of "fertility," which describes reproductive capability.
