Barren: meaning, definitions and examples

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barren

[ ˈbær.ən ]

^{Context #1}

land

Too poor to produce much or any vegetation.

Synonyms

infertile, sterile, unproductive

Examples of usage

The land was barren, with no sign of life.
The barren desert stretched out for miles.

^{Context #2}

woman

Unable to have children.

Synonyms

childless, infertile, sterile

Examples of usage

She felt barren after years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive.
The barren woman longed for a child of her own.

Translations

Translations of the word "barren" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estéril

🇮🇳 बंजर

🇩🇪 karg

🇮🇩 mandul

🇺🇦 безплідний

🇵🇱 jałowy

🇯🇵 不毛

🇫🇷 stérile

🇪🇸 estéril

🇹🇷 çorak

🇰🇷 불모

🇸🇦 عقيم

🇨🇿 neúrodný

🇸🇰 neúrodný

🇨🇳 贫瘠的

🇸🇮 neploden

🇮🇸 ófrjór

🇰🇿 құрғақ

🇬🇪 უმზეო

🇦🇿 qısır

🇲🇽 estéril

Word origin

The word 'barren' originated from the Middle English word 'barayne' meaning 'incapable of producing offspring'. This word has been used since the 13th century to describe land that is unable to support vegetation, as well as women who are unable to conceive. Over time, 'barren' has come to symbolize both physical infertility and a lack of productivity or growth.