Definition

Describing a baby that is born dead or something that fails to develop or succeed from the very beginning.

Example

The couple was heartbroken when they learned their baby was stillborn.

Conversation

I heard that the project was a total failure from the start.

Yeah, it was a stillborn idea that nobody really believed in.

It's a shame because we invested so much time into it.

True, but sometimes you learn more from stillborn projects than successful ones.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Stillborn → It is formed from "still" (from Old English *stille*, meaning quiet or motionless) and "born" (from Old English *beran*, meaning to bear or give birth). The word "stillborn" refers to a baby that is born without life, emphasizing the quietness or lack of movement at birth.

Memory Tip

Think of 'still' meaning quiet or motionless, and 'born' meaning to be brought into the world. This helps you remember that 'stillborn' describes a baby that is born without life.

Visually Confused Words