What does stillborn mean?
Stillborn is an adjective describing something born dead, most commonly a baby or animal. It can also describe an idea, plan, proposal, or agreement that is so ineffective or hopeless that it can never succeed or produce a meaningful result. In this figurative use, the word is more emphatic than words such as unsuccessful or ineffective: it suggests that something has failed before it has really begun. The expression is especially common in political, legal, and editorial contexts, where a project may be described as stillborn because it lacks support, funding, or a viable basis. As a noun, stillborn refers to a baby born dead, though stillbirth is the more usual term when discussing the medical condition or its frequency.
Born dead; or, figuratively, destined to fail and having no possibility of success or effect.
"The peace initiative was stillborn from the outset."
The figurative sense is formal and is especially used with initiatives, proposals, plans, and agreements.
A baby or animal that is born dead.
"The stillborn was delivered by medical staff shortly after the parents arrived at the hospital."
As a noun, it is less common than the related medical term stillbirth.
The plural is possible but uncommon; stillbirths is usually preferred when discussing the medical condition or cases collectively.
"The records documented several stillborns during the early part of the year."
A stillborn idea is one that never had a realistic chance of taking effect—the figurative use makes failure sound almost biological.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stillborn come from?
The word combines Middle English still, meaning “motionless” or “without movement,” with born, from Old English beran, “to bear or bring forth.” In its literal sense, it refers to a child who is born without signs of life. The figurative use developed by analogy, applying the idea of a birth that cannot result in life to plans or efforts that cannot succeed.
How stillborn is actually used
The literal medical sense is used primarily for babies or animals. The figurative sense, especially for plans, proposals, and agreements, is formal and strongly conveys inevitable failure rather than merely an unsuccessful outcome.