Castaway: meaning, definitions and examples

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castaway

[ˈkæstəˌweɪ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

survival

A person who has been shipwrecked and stranded in an isolated place, especially an island.

Synonyms

marooned person, shipwreck survivor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
castaway	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
shipwreck survivor	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

Word

Description / Examples

castaway

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

shipwreck survivor

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

Examples of usage

He survived as a castaway on a deserted island for several months.
The novel tells the story of a castaway who struggles to survive alone on a remote island.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

film

A movie or TV show about a person who is stranded in an isolated place, especially an island.

Synonyms

island survivor, stranded person.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
castaway	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
stranded person	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
island survivor	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

Word

Description / Examples

castaway

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

stranded person

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

island survivor

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

Examples of usage

Tom Hanks starred in the film Cast Away, where he played a castaway stranded on a deserted island.

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

isolated

Left alone or stranded in an isolated place.

Synonyms

marooned, stranded.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
castaway	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
stranded	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
marooned	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

Word

Description / Examples

castaway

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

stranded

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

marooned

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

Examples of usage

The castaway sailor was rescued after being stranded at sea for days.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word traces back to the late 16th century, formed from 'cast' meaning to throw and 'away' meaning to leave behind.
It originally referred to someone thrown overboard from a ship, emphasizing abandonment at sea.

Literature

The famous novel 'Robinson Crusoe' by Daniel Defoe tells the story of a castaway who survives alone on an island for years.
In modern storytelling, castaway characters explore survival, adventure, and self-discovery, seen in movies like 'Cast Away' with Tom Hanks.

Psychology

Being a castaway in stories often highlights themes of isolation, resilience, and the human spirit's ability to adapt.
The psychological impact of isolation can lead to increased creativity and introspection, as characters often create their own societies or rules.

Survival Skills

Castaways must learn to find food, make shelter, and signal for help, which showcases human ingenuity and survival instincts.
Documentaries have shown real-life castaways practicing skills like fishing, foraging, and using natural materials to survive.

Pop Culture

The term ‘castaway’ is often invoked in reality shows like 'Survivor,' where participants are placed in wilderness settings.
Video games sometimes feature castaway themes, such as 'Stranded Deep,' where players must survive after a plane crash.

Translations

Translations of the word "castaway" in other languages:

🇵🇹 náufrago

🇮🇳 नाविक

🇩🇪 Schiffsbrüchiger

🇮🇩 terdampar

🇺🇦 корабельний аварійник

🇵🇱 rozbitek

🇯🇵 漂流者 (ひょうりゅうしゃ)

🇫🇷 naufragé

🇪🇸 náufrago

🇹🇷 kazazede

🇰🇷 난파자

🇸🇦 منكوب السفينة

🇨🇿 trosečník

🇸🇰 troska

🇨🇳 遇难者 (yùnànzhě)

🇸🇮 brodolomec

🇮🇸 skipreka

🇰🇿 құтқарушы

🇬🇪 გადარჩენილი

🇦🇿 tələf olmuş

🇲🇽 náufrago