hermaphroditic
adjective
her·maph·ro·dit·ic
(ˌ)hər-ˌma-frə-ˈdi-tik 
: possessing both male and female reproductive organs, structures, or tissue : exhibiting hermaphroditism : of, relating to, or being a hermaphrodite
hermaphroditic worms
hermaphroditic flowers
Most corals are hermaphroditic—they release both male and female gametes.—
John Vandenbeld
John VandenbeldExamples of hermaphroditic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There were around 10 baby sea stars, each the spitting image of their parent, which like many starfish was probably hermaphroditic.
—Darren Incorvaia, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2023
In most hermaphroditic animals, an individual grows up and develops the organs that make both sperm and eggs.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 15 July 2011
Jeff Daniels is now the proud namesake of a tarantula-killing, hermaphroditic species of worm.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 Jan. 2022
Two hermaphroditic snails can fertilize each other, or just play the role of male or female.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 15 July 2010
These hermaphroditic creatures must surely represent some kind of metaphor, too obscure to be easily interpreted.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Mar. 2022
This is true of male and female individuals within a population, as well as male and female functions within a hermaphroditic individual.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2011
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Darren Incorvaia, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2023
In most hermaphroditic animals, an individual grows up and develops the organs that make both sperm and eggs.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 15 July 2011
Jeff Daniels is now the proud namesake of a tarantula-killing, hermaphroditic species of worm.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 Jan. 2022
Two hermaphroditic snails can fertilize each other, or just play the role of male or female.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 15 July 2010
These hermaphroditic creatures must surely represent some kind of metaphor, too obscure to be easily interpreted.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Mar. 2022
This is true of male and female individuals within a population, as well as male and female functions within a hermaphroditic individual.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2011
Articles Related to hermaphroditic
Dictionary Entries Near hermaphroditic
Cite this Entry
“Hermaphroditic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hermaphroditic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share