sperm
The reproductive cell or gamete of the maleThe reproductive cell or gamete of the male; a spermatozoon.
» I can't find my sperm socks.
Meaning
3 senses(countable)The reproductive cell or gamete of the male; a spermatozoon.
Spermium, Samenzelle
сперматозо́идspermatozóid
the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
(slang, uncountable)Semen; the generative substance of male animals.
Sperma
спе́рмаspérma, молофья́molofʹjá
спе́рмаspérma
(countable, uncountable)Sperm oil; whale oil from a sperm whale; spermaceti.
Examples
52 sentencesI can't find my sperm socks.
I've got sperm in my socks.
I have sperm in my socks.
Studying sperm helps scientists understand fertility.
Stress can negatively impact sperm production.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 2
By meaning 2
Origin
From Middle English sperme, from Latin sperma, from Ancient Greek σπέρμα (spérma, “seed, sFrom Middle English sperme, from Latin sperma, from Ancient Greek σπέρμα (spérma, “seed, semen”). Compare also Old French esperme, sparme.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
plural: sperm / spermsSynonyms
7 synonyms- the male reproductive cell; the male gamete:sperm cellspermatozoonspermatozoan
Word family
71 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A1Plural nouns — Because its plural is irregular
- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable