Barren

Quick meaning: Barren is an adjective meaning (of people and animals, not comparable) Not bearing children, childless; hence also unable to bear children, sterile.

Meaning

(of people and animals, not comparable) Not bearing children, childless; hence also unable to bear children, sterile.

More Meanings

1. (of plants, not comparable) Not bearing seed or fruit.
2. (of places) Of poor fertility, infertile; not producing vegetation; desert, waste.
3. (with of) Devoid, lacking.
4. Devoid of interest or attraction, poor, bleak.
5. Unproductive, fruitless, unprofitable; empty, hollow, vain.
6. Mentally dull or unproductive; stupid or intellectually fallow.
7. An area of low fertility and habitation, a desolate place.

Example Sentences

barren mountain tracts

Terraforming even a barren planet often involves significant financial and ethical hurdles.

The druids […] believed that mistletoe could make barren animals fecund, and that it was an antidote to all poisons.

I silently wept as my daughter's husband rejected her. What would she do now that she was no longer a maiden but also barren?

Word Forms

• barrener
• barrenest
• barrens

Synonyms for barren

Depending on context, synonyms include sterile, fruitless, destitute, bereft, idle, desolate.

Antonyms for barren

Common opposites include fertile, fruitful.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sterile, unfruitful, childless, inhospitable, bare, desolate.

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