vestigial Definition
- 1forming a very small remnant of something that was once much larger or more noticeable
- 2having become functionless in the course of evolution
Using vestigial: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "vestigial" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The human appendix is a vestigial structure.
Example
The ostrich has vestigial wings that are not used for flight.
Example
The whale's pelvis is a vestigial bone that no longer serves any purpose.
Example
The snake's tiny legs are vestigial remnants of its evolutionary past.
vestigial Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for vestigial
Antonyms for vestigial
Phrases with vestigial
Example
The human tailbone is a vestigial organ that no longer serves any purpose.
a physical or behavioral characteristic that has lost all or most of its original function through evolution
Example
The human ability to wiggle their ears is a vestigial trait that has been lost in most people.
a physical structure that has lost all or most of its original function through evolution
Example
The wings of flightless birds are vestigial structures that have become useless over time.
Origins of vestigial
from Latin 'vestigium', meaning 'footprint'
Summary: vestigial in Brief
The term 'vestigial' [veˈstɪdʒiəl] refers to something that is a small remnant of what it once was, often having lost its original function through evolution. Examples include the human appendix, the ostrich's wings, and the whale's pelvis. 'Vestigial' extends into phrases like 'vestigial organ,' 'vestigial trait,' and 'vestigial structure,' all denoting physical characteristics that have lost their original function.
