November 29, 2026

Vestigial

adjective

Definition

Forming a very small remnant of something that was once greater; atrophied or non-functional through evolution. A vestigial structure is one the organism no longer actively uses.

Example Sentence

“The human appendix is perhaps the most famous vestigial organ, serving no known function today.”

Etymology

From Latin vestigium (footprint, trace) + -al.

Scrabble Score

V4E1S1T1I1G2I1A1L1

VESTIGIAL scores 13 points in Scrabble.

Synonyms & Related Words

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