How Do You Spell PREGNANT?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈɛɡnənt] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "pregnant" can be confusing, as it contains several silent letters. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈprɛɡnənt/. The "p" is pronounced, followed by a distinct "r" sound. The "e" is long, and the "g" is hard. The final three letters of the word, "nant", are all silent. Despite the unusual spelling of this word, its meaning is clear and easily understood by English speakers worldwide.

PREGNANT Meaning and Definition

  1. Pregnant is an adjective that refers to the condition or state of a female mammal, particularly a human or animal, that is carrying an embryo or fetus within her body as a result of sexual reproduction. It describes a stage in reproduction where fertilization has occurred, and the embryo has implanted itself in the uterus, initiating a series of physiological changes within the mother's body.

    In humans, pregnancy typically lasts around nine months, divided into three trimesters. During this time, the body undergoes numerous modifications to accommodate the developing fetus, including hormonal changes, weight gain, and enlargement of the abdomen. Pregnant women may experience various symptoms such as morning sickness, fatigue, mood swings, and changes in appetite.

    In terms of animals, pregnancy duration may vary significantly across species. Some animals have shorter gestation periods, while others can have pregnancies lasting several years. Throughout pregnancy, animals also undergo corresponding physiological transformations to support fetal growth, such as milk production in mammals that allows the mother to nourish her offspring.

    Overall, being pregnant is a distinct biological condition that signifies the existence of new life within a female organism. It signifies a crucial and remarkable period of transformation and growth, both physically and emotionally, which culminates in the birth of offspring.

  2. • A pregnant woman.
    • Gravid, big with child; noting a female bearing within her the product of conception.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. Being with child; breeding; fruitful; teeming; implying more than what is actually expressed.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PREGNANT *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PREGNANT

Etymology of PREGNANT

The word "pregnant" originated from the Latin word "praegnans", which is a combination of "prae" meaning "before" or "in front of", and "gnasci" meaning "to be born" or "to beget". Therefore, the literal meaning of "praegnans" is "before born" or "before giving birth". Over time, the word evolved into English as "pregnant" with the same general meaning, referring to a female being in a state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus.

Idioms with the word PREGNANT

  • a pregnant pause/silence The idiom "a pregnant pause/silence" refers to a momentary silence or pause during a conversation that is filled with tension, expectation, or significance. It is a pause that holds great meaning or is filled with unspoken implications, as if something important or significant is about to be revealed or occur.
  • you can't be half pregnant The idiom "you can't be half pregnant" is a metaphorical expression that means it is not possible to be partially committed or involved in a situation or action that generally requires full dedication or complete effort. It emphasizes the idea that certain contexts or decisions require decisive commitment and cannot be approached with ambiguity or hesitance. Just as one cannot be halfway pregnant, a person cannot be partially dedicated to something that demands a wholehearted commitment.
  • you can't be a little bit pregnant The idiom "you can't be a little bit pregnant" means that a situation or condition cannot be partially true or exist in degrees. It implies that something either is or isn't, and there is no middle ground or compromise. The phrase is often used to emphasize the impossibility of partaking in contradictory or incompatible actions or beliefs simultaneously.

Similar spelling words for PREGNANT

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