pregnant
PREHG-nuhnt
Pregnant (adjective) means carrying a developing baby inside the body; expecting a child. Example: “She is seven months pregnant.”
adjective
1
Carrying a developing baby inside the body; expecting a child.
"She is seven months pregnant."
"They found out they were pregnant just before Christmas."
"My sister is pregnant and the baby is due in the spring."
2
Full of meaning, possibility, or implication.
"There was a pregnant pause before he answered."
"Her silence felt pregnant with unspoken accusation."
"The speech was pregnant with hints about what might happen next."
How to use pregnant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually means expecting a baby, but can also describe a moment or silence that's loaded with meaning.
Common pairings
pregnant woman
pregnant pause
get pregnant
heavily pregnant
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Word forms
- Plural
- pregnants
- Comparative
- more pregnant
- Superlative
- most pregnant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She is seven months _____.
Etymology
From Old French preignant/pregnant, from Latin praegnans, built from prae- ("before") plus an old root meaning "to be born." It replaced the native Old English word bearneacen, literally "child-enlarged."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pregnant” mean?
The word “pregnant” means carrying a developing baby inside the body; expecting a child. In plain terms, usually means expecting a baby, but can also describe a moment or silence that's loaded with meaning.
How do you pronounce “pregnant”?
“Pregnant” is pronounced PREHG-nuhnt (/ˈpɹɛɡnənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “pregnant” in a sentence?
Here is “pregnant” used in a sentence: “She is seven months pregnant.”
What is another word for “pregnant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pregnant” include expecting, expecting a baby, expectant, gravid, with child and fertilized.
What is the opposite of “pregnant”?
The opposite of “pregnant” — its antonyms — are impregnant, nonpregnant, pseudopregnant and unpregnant.
What part of speech is “pregnant”?
“Pregnant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pregnant” come from?
The word “pregnant” comes from Latin. From Old French preignant/pregnant, from Latin praegnans, built from prae- ("before") plus an old root meaning "to be born." It replaced the native Old English word bearneacen, literally "child-enlarged.".
Is “pregnant” a common word?
“Pregnant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between pregnant and expecting?
They describe the same condition, but tone differs. Pregnant is the plain, medical term for carrying a developing baby. Expecting, short for expecting a baby, is a softer, more conversational way to say it, common in polite or celebratory contexts. Both are correct and widely understood.
How long is a person pregnant?
A typical human pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, or roughly nine months, counted from the first day of the last menstrual period. It is usually divided into three stages called trimesters. Babies born before 37 weeks are described as premature.
Can 'pregnant' describe things other than people?
Yes. Figuratively, pregnant means full of meaning or significance. A pregnant pause is a silence heavy with unspoken feeling, and a moment can be pregnant with possibility. This literary sense draws on the idea of something carrying, or about to produce, something within it.
What is an example of pregnant in a sentence?
For instance: 'She is seven months pregnant with their first child.' The word functions as an adjective describing a state. It can be used plainly, as here, or more formally in phrases such as heavily pregnant or pregnant with twins.
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