A1 noun Neutral

embryo

/ˈɛm.bri.oʊ/

An embryo is the very early stage of a living thing before it is born or hatched. It can also describe a new idea or project that is just starting to grow.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The doctor showed them a picture of the small embryo.

The doctor showed them a picture of the small embryo.

2

The research focuses on the health of the human embryo.

The research focuses on the health of the human embryo.

3

Our travel plan is still just an embryo, so nothing is fixed.

Our travel plan is still just an embryo, so nothing is fixed.

Word Family

Noun
embryo
Adverb
embryonically
Adjective
embryonic
Related
embryology
💡

Memory Tip

Remember that the letter 'E' stands for 'Early'—an embryo is the Early stage of life.

Quick Quiz

The scientist looked at the ______ through a microscope to see how it was growing.

Correct!

The correct answer is: embryo

Examples

1

The doctor showed them a picture of the small embryo.

everyday

The doctor showed them a picture of the small embryo.

2

The research focuses on the health of the human embryo.

formal

The research focuses on the health of the human embryo.

3

Our travel plan is still just an embryo, so nothing is fixed.

informal

Our travel plan is still just an embryo, so nothing is fixed.

4

Cell division begins immediately after the embryo is formed.

academic

Cell division begins immediately after the embryo is formed.

5

The new startup is currently in its embryo stage.

business

The new startup is currently in its embryo stage.

Word Family

Noun
embryo
Adverb
embryonically
Adjective
embryonic
Related
embryology

Common Collocations

human embryo human embryo
frozen embryo frozen embryo
embryo development embryo development
embryo transfer embryo transfer
embryo stage embryo stage

Common Phrases

in embryo

in the early stages of development

embryo research

scientific study of embryos

from embryo to adult

from the very beginning to full growth

Often Confused With

embryo vs fetus

An embryo is the very early stage (up to 8 weeks in humans), while a fetus is the later stage of development.

embryo vs ovum

An ovum is an unfertilized egg cell, whereas an embryo is a fertilized egg that has started to grow.

📝

Usage Notes

Use this word when talking about the very first stages of life in science, or metaphorically to describe an idea that is not yet fully formed.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often misspell the plural as 'embryoes' instead of the correct 'embryos'.

💡

Memory Tip

Remember that the letter 'E' stands for 'Early'—an embryo is the Early stage of life.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Greek word 'embruon', which means 'to swell' or 'to grow inside'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural: embryos Often used with the preposition 'in'
🌍

Cultural Context

The use of embryos in scientific research is a major topic of ethical debate in many Western cultures.

Quick Quiz

The scientist looked at the ______ through a microscope to see how it was growing.

Correct!

The correct answer is: embryo

More science words

radius

A1

A radius is a straight line from the center of a circle to its outer edge. It is also used to describe the distance from a center point in any direction to mark an area.

circumference

A1

The circumference is the distance around the outside edge of a circle or a round object. It is a measurement that tells you how long the boundary of a round shape is.

perpendicular

A1

A perpendicular is a line that meets or crosses another line at a 90-degree angle. It is used in science and math to describe two lines that are perfectly square to each other.

catalyst

A1

A catalyst is something that makes a change happen faster or more easily. In science, it is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being changed itself.

solute

A1

A solute is a substance that is dissolved in another substance, usually a liquid. It is the part of a mixture that disappears into the liquid to create a solution.

heredity

A1

Heredity is the process by which physical or mental qualities are passed from parents to their children through genes. It explains why family members often share similar traits like eye color, height, or certain health conditions.

symbiosis

A1

Symbiosis is a close relationship between two different living things that live together. Usually, this relationship helps at least one of them, and often both organisms benefit from each other.

energy

A1

Energy is the power that comes from things like electricity, coal, or the sun to make machines work or provide heat. It also describes the physical and mental strength that people have to be active and do things.

gravity

A1

Gravity is the natural force that pulls objects toward each other, especially toward the center of the Earth. It is what makes things fall to the ground and keeps us from floating away into space.

friction

A1

Friction is the force that happens when two surfaces rub against each other. It makes it harder for things to move and can create heat.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free