germ-free

adjective

Without any (especially harmful) microorganisms; aseptic.

First used 19th c.
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Meanings

adjectivegerm-free (not comparable)

alternative germfree

  1. not comparableWithout any (especially harmful) microorganisms; aseptic.First known use 19th c.
  2. not comparablesciencesSpecifically, pertaining to an animal with no microorganisms living in or on it, used in gnotobiotic research.

    It is worth being cautious: many studies show associations rather than cause and effect, and some are based only on studies in germ-free mice and have not been explored in humans.

    2018, Nicola Davis, The Guardian, 256 March

Origin

From germ + -free.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Afrikaans kiemvry
  • kiemvrywithout any microorganism
German keimfrei
  • keimfreiwithout any microorganism
Cite this entry
APA

germ-free. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/germ-free

MLA

“germ-free.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/germ-free. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “germ-free,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/germ-free.

Source: germ-free on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.