English Explanatory Dictionary

desolate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Deserted and devoid of inhabitants.
  2. Barren and lifeless.
  3. Made unfit for habitation or use because of neglect, destruction etc.
  4. Dismal or dreary.
  5. Sad, forlorn and hopeless.
verb
  1. To deprive of inhabitants.
  2. To devastate or lay waste somewhere.
  3. To abandon or forsake something.
  4. To make someone sad, forlorn and hopeless.

Pronunciation

/ˈdɛs.ə.lət/ en-us-desolate.ogg /ˈdɛsəleɪt/

Word forms

desolate more desolate most desolate desolates desolating desolated

Etymology

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

Synonyms

peopleless uninhabited abandoned derelict desert deserted desolate discarded dropped forlorn forsaken high and dry left behind orphaned beingless disinhabited inhabitantless inhabited lifeless solitary tenantless unhabited unoccupied unpeopled unpopulated untenanted vacant wasteful dearthful scrunty sere sterile devastated empty ravaged wasted bleak gloomy cheerless comfortless dark morose depressing dire disconsolate dismal doleful dolesome drear drearisome dreary dreich gayless gray gloomsome grim joyless lack-laughter lugubrious melancholy

Antonyms

inhabited populated fertile cheerful comforting

Related words

desolation

Derived words

desolately desolateness desolater desolatory
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