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sterile

[/ˈsterəl/ or /ˈsterɪl/]
adjective
estéril
1. Unable to produce offspring; infertile
The couple discovered they were sterile and could not have children naturally.
O casal descobriu que eram estéreis e não podiam ter filhos naturalmente.
2. Free from living microorganisms; aseptic
The surgical instruments must be kept sterile to prevent infection.
Os instrumentos cirúrgicos devem ser mantidos estéreis para prevenir infecção.
3. Lacking originality, imagination, or interest; dull
The office had a sterile, uninviting atmosphere.
O escritório tinha uma atmosfera estéril e pouco atraente.
4. Incapable of producing results; fruitless
Their sterile debate led nowhere.
O seu debate estéril não levou a lugar algum.
Synonyms
infertilebarrenasepticgerm-freeunproductivefruitlessblanddull
Antonyms
fertilefruitfulproductivecontaminatedinfectedinteresting

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
estéril
Standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
estéril
Commonly used in medical and scientific contexts
Portugal
estéril
Same usage as Brazilian Portuguese; also 'infecundo' in literary contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

sterile environment
sterile technique
sterile field
sterile argument
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