adj

stillborn

STIHL-bawn

Stillborn (adj) means Dead at the moment of birth. Example: “The couple grieved for the child who was stillborn.”

adj

Dead at the moment of birth.

"The couple grieved for the child who was stillborn."

Failed or abandoned before it could ever succeed.

"The peace plan was stillborn from the moment both sides rejected it."

How to use stillborn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally, born dead; figuratively, a plan or project that never had a chance to get going.

When to use it

The literal medical sense is a sensitive topic — use with care.

Word forms

stillborns plural

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The couple grieved for the child who was _____.

Etymology

A compound of "still" (motionless) and "born", first recorded in English in the late 1500s.

· First attested 1500

Class of 1500 stillborn joined the language around 1500.

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Frequently asked questions

What does “stillborn” mean?

The word “stillborn” means dead at the moment of birth. In plain terms, literally, born dead; figuratively, a plan or project that never had a chance to get going.

How do you pronounce “stillborn”?

“Stillborn” is pronounced STIHL-bawn (/ˈstɪlbɔː(ɹ)n/ in IPA).

How do you use “stillborn” in a sentence?

Here is “stillborn” used in a sentence: “The couple grieved for the child who was stillborn.”

What part of speech is “stillborn”?

“Stillborn” is an adjective.

Where does the word “stillborn” come from?

The word “stillborn” dates back to around 1500. A compound of "still" (motionless) and "born", first recorded in English in the late 1500s.

How many meanings does “stillborn” have?

“Stillborn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dead at the moment of birth.