noun

foetus

FEE-tuhs

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Foetus (noun) means an unborn vertebrate animal that already shows the features of the adult form. Example: “The scan showed the foetus moving its arms and legs.”

noun

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

"The scan showed the foetus moving its arms and legs."

"A calf foetus develops inside the cow for around nine months."

"Researchers studied how the foetus responds to sound in the womb."

A human embryo once it has developed past the eighth week of pregnancy.

"By this stage of pregnancy, doctors refer to the baby as a foetus rather than an embryo."

"The midwife explained how the foetus grows week by week."

How to use foetus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA foetus is a developing baby or animal in the womb once it looks recognisably like the adult it will become.

When to use it

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

Memory tip

Outside medical and scientific writing you will still meet foetus in the UK, so it is worth recognising both spellings.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a developing foetus foetus in the womb human foetus

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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”.

Test yourself on “foetus” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The scan showed the _____ moving its arms and legs.

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.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for foetus

fetus Cletus impetus

See all rhymes for 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.

What is the meaning of foetus?

"foetus" (noun) means an unborn vertebrate animal that already shows the features of the adult form.