Castaway: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word to describe a person who has been shipwrecked and is stranded, especially on an island. It is a general term and can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

• The castaway survived on the deserted island for months
• The story of a castaway often captures the imagination of many readers

This phrase specifically refers to someone who has survived a shipwreck incident. It has a clear and direct context, useful in situations where the emphasis is on the dramatic survival aspect.

• The shipwreck survivor was rescued after days adrift at sea
• The tales of shipwreck survivors are often harrowing and full of peril

This term is used to describe a person who has been shipwrecked and left isolated on an island or remote area. It adds a dramatic or literary flavor, making it ideal for storytelling or formal descriptions.

• The novel tells the harrowing tale of a castaway on a deserted island
• After the shipwreck, he found himself a lonely castaway on a deserted shore

This term is more general and can be used for anyone who is stuck in any isolated or inaccessible place, not just an island. It is suitable for casual conversation or news reports.

• Rescue teams are searching for the stranded person after the storm
• He was a stranded person, stuck in the wilderness with no way to return

This term emphasizes the resilience and ability to survive of a person who finds themselves on an island. It often implies a positive outcome and is suitable for inspiring or motivational contexts.

• The island survivor shared stories of how they built a shelter and found food
• In the documentary, the island survivor recounts their journey of endurance and hope

Typically used to describe someone who has survived a shipwreck and ended up on an uninhabited island or remote location. It often conveys a sense of adventure and survival.

• After the ship went down, Tom found himself a castaway on a deserted island
• The novel tells the story of a castaway who survived for years on a tropical island

Used to describe someone left in a difficult or helpless situation without any means of moving from where they are stuck. This term can refer to various scenarios, not just those related to the sea.

• Due to the heavy snowstorm, hundreds of passengers were stranded at the airport
• His car broke down in the middle of nowhere, leaving him stranded on the highway

Mostly used to describe a person left isolated and helpless in a place from which there is little or no hope of escape, often deliberately. It can carry a negative connotation, suggesting abandonment.

• The pirates marooned the traitor on a remote island
• She felt marooned in the rural village with no modern amenities