Stranded Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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stranded

[หˆstrรฆndษชd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

left without the means to move from somewhere.

Synonyms

castaway, marooned, shipwrecked.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
stranded

Used when someone or something is left in a difficult or helpless situation without a way to get out. Can be applied in various situations, not just maritime ones.

  • After the car broke down, we were stranded on the highway for hours
  • The hikers were stranded in the snowstorm with no help in sight
marooned

Used when someone is abandoned in an isolated place, often intentionally. It can have a slightly negative or dramatic connotation.

  • The pirate was marooned on a deserted island as punishment for his betrayal
  • Jill felt marooned in the unfamiliar city when she lost her phone
shipwrecked

Specifically refers to being in a ship that has been destroyed or sunk, leading to being stranded in the ocean or on an island. It is limited to maritime disasters.

  • The survivors of the shipwrecked vessel had to find ways to signal for rescue
  • He wrote a book about being shipwrecked and his fight for survival
castaway

Primarily used to describe someone who has survived a shipwreck and is left alone on an uninhabited island. It has a more specific maritime context.

  • The movie showed the struggles of a castaway trying to survive on a deserted island
  • The sailors became castaways after their ship was wrecked

Examples of usage

  • he was stranded in a foreign country without any money
  • the ship was stranded on a sandbar
Context #2 | Adjective

feeling

not having a job; unemployed.

Synonyms

jobless, out of work, unemployed.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
stranded

Use when someone is stuck in a place without a way to leave. It often carries a sense of being abandoned or helpless.

  • After the storm, many travelers were stranded at the airport
  • Their boat was stranded on the deserted island
jobless

A straightforward way to say someone doesn't have a job. It doesnโ€™t necessarily carry a negative emotion.

  • He's been jobless for six months now
  • The jobless rate has gone up this year
unemployed

A formal term usually seen in official contexts or statistics. It can sometimes carry a more serious or negative connotation.

  • The government's new policy aims to help the unemployed
  • Heโ€™s been unemployed for over a year
out of work

Commonly used in everyday speech to refer to someone who is temporarily not working. It might imply an ongoing search for a job.

  • Sheโ€™s been out of work since the company downsized
  • After being out of work for a while, he finally found a new job

Examples of usage

  • many workers were left stranded due to the pandemic
  • she found herself stranded after the company downsized

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Many classic adventure novels feature characters who are stranded, such as Robinson Crusoe, highlighting themes of survival and isolation.
  • In modern stories, movies like 'Cast Away' show the emotional struggles of being stranded, focusing on human resilience.

Science

  • Stranded molecules in biological contexts, like stranded DNA, can be important for studying genetic diseases.
  • Animals can become stranded due to environmental changes, leading to research on ecosystems and conservation efforts.

Pop Culture

  • The game 'Stranded Deep' focuses on survival after being stranded on a deserted island, engaging players with resource management.
  • Popular films often feature characters stranded on alien planets, intertwining themes of loneliness and exploration.

Psychology

  • Being stranded can lead to feelings of anxiety and helplessness, driving research into mental health impacts of isolation.
  • Survivors of being stranded often display resilience and adaptability, showcasing human capacity for overcoming difficult situations.

Origin of 'stranded'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'stranded' comes from the Old English word 'strand', meaning 'shore' or 'beach'.
  • In the 19th century, to be 'stranded' often referred to boats that were left on the shore due to low tides.

The word 'stranded' originated from the Old English word 'strandian' which meant 'to be left on a shore'. Over time, it evolved to also represent being left in a difficult situation without help. The concept of being stranded has been a common theme in literature and film, symbolizing isolation and vulnerability.


See also: strand, strands.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,469, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.