vestigial
gb/vɛstˈɪd͡ʒiəl/ us/vɛstˈɪd͡ʒiəl/
C1
English
csökevényes, maradványjellegű
C1
TECHNICAL
1
csökevényes
C1
Usage pattern:
[body part/structure] is vestigial
In humans, the appendix is often described as a vestigial organ.
Emberben a féregnyúlványt gyakran csökevényes szervként írják le.
The whale’s tiny pelvic bones are vestigial structures left from ancestors with hind legs.
A bálna apró medencecsontjai csökevényes képletek, amelyek a hátsó lábú ősöktől maradtak vissza.
Some cave fish have vestigial eyes that no longer provide vision.
Learner examples
Humans have some vestigial body parts.
Az embernek vannak csökevényes testrészei.
The bird’s wings are vestigial, so it cannot fly.
A madár szárnyai csökevényesek, ezért nem tud repülni.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it to mean simply “very small”; it usually implies a leftover from an earlier stage (especially in biology).
Meaning
Reduced body part from evolution
Collocations
vestigial organ
|vestigial structure
|vestigial tail
|vestigial limb
|vestigial wings
|vestigial pelvis
|vestigial hind limbs
|vestigial bones
|vestigial eyes
|vestigial features
Synonyms
rudimentary (Emphasizes being underdeveloped or only partly formed.)
|
residual (Emphasizes remaining after most has disappeared; less specific about evolution.)
|
remnant (Focuses on being a surviving piece; can be used beyond biology.)
Antonyms
functional (Working normally and serving a clear purpose.)
|
fully developed (Not reduced; complete in form and function.)
Themes
biology
|medicine
|evolution
|animals
|science
Definition
A vestigial body part is a small part that used to be useful in the past, but is not useful now.
(Of a body part or structure) present as a small, reduced remnant that has lost most or all of its original function through evolution.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
vestigial [rule/feature/habit/trace]
The redesign removed a vestigial menu that no one used anymore.
Az áttervezés megszüntetett egy maradványjellegű menüt, amelyet már senki sem használt.
A vestigial committee still met once a year, even though its work had been reassigned.
Egy maradványjellegű bizottság még mindig évente egyszer ülésezett, noha a feladatait már máshova osztották.
She noticed vestigial habits from her old job showing up in her new role.
Learner examples
The app still has a vestigial button from the old design.
Az alkalmazásban még mindig van egy régi dizájnból megmaradt, funkcióját vesztett gomb.
That rule is vestigial now.
Az a szabály mára már csak maradványjellegű.
Common mistake:
It usually suggests “left over and mostly useless,” not “traditional” or “old” in a positive way.
Meaning
Leftover trace no longer useful
Collocations
vestigial rule
|vestigial feature
|vestigial habit
|vestigial custom
|vestigial policy
|vestigial department
|vestigial bureaucracy
|vestigial trace
|vestigial remnant
|vestigial clause
Synonyms
obsolete (Stresses that it is out of date; may not imply it’s only a small remnant.)
|
leftover (More informal; focuses on what remains rather than its origin.)
|
residual (More neutral/technical; emphasizes what remains after change.)
Antonyms
essential (Necessary and central to the purpose.)
|
current (Modern and still relevant or in active use.)
|
useful (Serving a practical purpose.)
Themes
technology
|work
|society
|history
|daily_life
Definition
Vestigial means “left over from the past and not really needed now.”
Remaining as a small or weakened trace of something that used to exist or be important, especially when it no longer has a clear purpose.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vestigial
IPA
GB/vɛstˈɪd͡ʒiəl/
US/vɛstˈɪd͡ʒiəl/
Syllables & stress
ves - ti - gi - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ti)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: vestigial
Expressions
vestigial feature
1/vɛstˈɪd͡ʒiəl fˈit͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Leftover feature no longer needed
A feature that is still there, but is left over from the past and not needed now.
Examples
- The settings screen still contains a vestigial feature from the old app.
- Engineers removed vestigial features to simplify the interface.
Learner examples
- This is a vestigial feature from an older version.
vestigial limb
1/vɛstˈɪd͡ʒiəl lˈɪm/
fixed phrase
technical
Reduced limb no longer functional
A small, reduced arm or leg that is left over from the past and does not work well.
Examples
- Boas have vestigial limbs visible as small spurs.
- The species evolved vestigial limbs after adapting to life in the water.
vestigial organ
1/vɛstˈɪd͡ʒiəl ˈɔɹɡən/
fixed phrase
technical
Reduced organ with lost function
A body organ that is left over from evolution and is not very useful now.
Examples
- Some textbooks describe the human appendix as a vestigial organ.
- Researchers debate whether certain organs are truly vestigial organs or have minor functions.
Learner examples
- The appendix is often called a vestigial organ.
vestigial remains
1/vɛstˈɪd͡ʒiəl ɹɪmˈeɪnz/
fixed phrase
formal
Small traces left behind
Small leftover parts or signs of something from the past.
Examples
- The town still has vestigial remains of its industrial past.
- Only vestigial remains of the old system survived the reform.
Learner examples
- There are vestigial remains of the old rule.
vestigial structure
1/vɛstˈɪd͡ʒiəl stɹˈʌkt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
Reduced body structure from evolution
A small body structure that remains from the past but is not very useful now.
Examples
- The snake’s pelvic bones are a vestigial structure.
- In some insects, wings are present only as vestigial structures.
Learner examples
- The animal has a vestigial structure from its ancestors.
vestigial tail
1/vɛstˈɪd͡ʒiəl tˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
technical
Small reduced tail remnant
A very small tail that is left over and not useful.
Examples
- The embryo briefly shows a vestigial tail during early development.
- Some animals have a vestigial tail that no longer helps with balance or movement.
Learner examples
- The baby was born with a vestigial tail.