subfertility

/-fər-ˈtil-ət-ē/ (ame, mw)

subfertility — noun

1. a medical situation where a person or couple takes longer than usual to become p

1.名詞C1
釋義

a medical situation where a person or couple takes longer than usual to become pregnant, though pregnancy is still possible without medical help

例句

After eighteen months of trying, Zola asked her doctor if subfertility could explain the delay.

uncountable noun followed by explanation of cause

The clinic runs subfertility tests that check both partners' hormone levels and egg quality.

noun used attributively: subfertility + tests

同義詞
  • reduced fertility

    the everyday English equivalent, less clinical in tone

  • impaired fertility

    used in medical writing but slightly broader in scope (can include male-factor issues)

反義詞
  • infertility

    denotes a complete inability to conceive without assistance, a more severe condition

用法筆記

Frequently used in medical contexts to distinguish from infertility: subfertility implies a lower chance of conceiving per cycle, whereas infertility suggests a complete inability to conceive without medical intervention.

常見錯誤

❌The couple was diagnosed with subfertility, meaning they can never have children.
✅The couple was diagnosed with subfertility, meaning pregnancy is still possible but may take longer.
💡Subfertility does not imply permanent inability to conceive; that is infertility.