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Definitions

vestigial

[ve-stij-ee-uhl, -stij-uhl] / vɛˈstɪdʒ i əl, -ˈstɪdʒ əl /
ADJECTIVE
latent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
inherent lurking smoldering suppressed underlying unrealized veiled
WEAK
abeyant between the lines concealed contained covert idle immature implied in abeyance inactive inert inferential inferred inoperative intrinsic invisible involved passive possible potential quiescent rudimentary secret sleeping suspended tacit torpid underdeveloped undeveloped unexposed unexpressed unripe unseen
Antonyms
WEAK
active apparent clear live manifest obvious open public
ADJECTIVE
primitive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crude rough rudimentary simple uncivilized
STRONG
natural raw rude uncultivated unsophisticated wild
WEAK
atavistic barbarous brutish childlike ignorant naive nonliterate preliterate uncultured underdeveloped unlearned unrefined untaught untrained untutored
Antonyms
STRONGEST
developed experienced mature sophisticated
STRONG
calm civilized kind mild moderate nice polite refined tame
WEAK
cultured current modern new present
ADJECTIVE
remaining
Synonyms
STRONGEST
extra leftover outstanding surviving
STRONG
left lingering spare
WEAK
residual unused
ADJECTIVE
rudimentary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
elemental elementary embryonic primitive simple
WEAK
abecedarian basal beginning early immature initial introductory larval nuts-and-bolts primary simplest uncompleted undeveloped
Antonyms
STRONGEST
complex complicated difficult intricate sophisticated
WEAK
additional advanced derivative developed extra nonessential
ADJECTIVE
surviving
Synonyms
STRONGEST
extant remaining
WEAK
residual

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The event, which ended this Saturday, felt vestigial, held more out of habit than because there was any urgent niche for it to fill.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Companies have skimped on dividends amid an epic bull run for stock prices, leaving the S&P 500’s yield of just 1.1% looking like finance’s vestigial tailbone—an evolutionary holdover without a clear purpose.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

A vestigial instinct made him look around for who was in charge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

But there on the animal’s body, illuminated with fluorescent markers, were what looked like four more vestigial eyes.

From New York Times • Mar. 1, 2024

We do see vestigial signs of automobiles in our village, but they resemble the signs of life you would dig up in a graveyard if you were inclined to that pastime.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver