Barren Meaning and Definition
Barren
Pronunciation
/ˈbærən/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Not producing fruit, flowers, or foliage in abundance; unproductive; starkly bare or desolate.
Examples
- The barren landscape stretched out before us.
- She felt barren and unfulfilled in her empty nest.
Synonyms
- Desolate
- Sparsely-populated
Antonyms
- Fertile
- Lush
Etymology
The word “barren” originated from the Old English word “barren”, which means “fruitless” or “unproductive”.
Usage Notes
Barren is often used to describe a landscape or environment that lacks vegetation or resources.
Cultural References
The word “barren” has been used in various cultural references, such as in literature and poetry to describe desolate landscapes.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “To bear no fruit” means to be unproductive or unsuccessful.
Related Words or Phrases
- Fruitless
- Unproductive
- Desolate
Collocations
- Barren land
- Barren soil
Frequency of Use
The word “barren” is commonly used in everyday language to describe a lack of resources or productivity.
Common Misspellings
- Barron
- Barrenn