Nascent
hardNeutral toneNAY-sunt
adjective
Definition
Just beginning to develop; emerging
Memory hook
NASCENT sounds like NATION being born — something just beginning to emerge.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The nascent industry attracted many entrepreneurs.”
“Her nascent talent was nurtured by skilled teachers.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The ______ industry attracted many entrepreneurs.”
Show answer
nascent
Categories
GRE Tip
Nascent is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "incipient" or "emerging" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "mature".
Related GRE Words
incipient
In an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop
inchoate
Just begun; not fully formed or developed
embryonic
In an early stage of development; rudimentary
emergent
In the process of coming into being or becoming prominent
evolve
To develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form
fledgling
A young bird just fledged; a person or organization that is new and inexperienced
Master nascent and 1,000+ GRE words
Learn through stories, practice with real GRE questions, and never forget with spaced repetition.