Unpopulated: meaning, definitions and examples

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unpopulated

 

[ ʌnˈpΙ’pjʊleΙͺtΙͺd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

lack of people

Unpopulated refers to an area or region that is not inhabited or has very few inhabitants. It is often used to describe remote locations or places that are devoid of human settlement.

Synonyms

desolate, inhabited, vacant

Examples of usage

  • The unpopulated island was untouched by civilization.
  • Many unpopulated areas in the region are ideal for wildlife.
  • They explored the vast, unpopulated regions of the desert.

Etymology

The term 'unpopulated' is derived from the prefix 'un-', which comes from Old English meaning 'not' or 'the opposite of', combined with the word 'populated', which originates from the Latin 'populatus', the past participle of 'populare', meaning 'to inhabit' or 'to people'. The word 'populate' itself came into English in the late 14th century, and the combination reflects a state of absence of population. Through the evolution of the English language, unpopulated has been utilized particularly in geographical contexts and discussions about land usage, population density, and ecological studies to refer to areas lacking in human presence.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,869 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.