desolate

CEFRC1

/ˈdɛs.ə.lət/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Empty and lonely, with few people or signs of life.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Barren and lifeless.

Examples

  • If one does not have a hobby, his life may be desolate.

  • It was a thoroughly desolate landscape, without a soul in sight.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /ˈdɛsəleɪt/

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Made unfit for habitation or use because of neglect, destruction etc.

  2. Deserted and devoid of inhabitants.

  3. Dismal or dreary.

More examples

In context

  • The town was desolate after the flood.

  • He was left desolate by the early death of his wife.

  • a desolate isle; a desolate wilderness; a desolate house

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The abandoned island was blank with no signs of life.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Middle English desolat(e). See Etymology 2 and -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more.