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barren
The definition of barren is something or someone who is not productive or fruitful, or a place with few or no plants.
(adjective)- An example of a barren tree is a tree that makes no fruit.
- An example of barren is a desert where few things grow.
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See barren in Webster's New World College Dictionary
adjective
- that cannot produce offspring; sterile: a barren woman
- not bearing or pregnant at the regular time: said of animals or plants
- not producing crops or fruit; having little or no vegetation: barren soil
- not bringing useful results; unproductive; unprofitable: a barren plan
- lacking appeal, interest, or meaning; dull; boring
- empty; devoid: barren of creative spirit
Origin: ME barain < OFr baraigne, brehaigne, orig. used of land
noun
- an area of unproductive land
- land with poor soil and very few shrubs, trees, etc.
Related Forms:
- barrenly adverb
- barrenness noun
See barren in American Heritage Dictionary 4
adjective
- a. Not producing offspring.b. Incapable of producing offspring.
- Lacking vegetation, especially useful vegetation.
- Unproductive of results or gains; unprofitable: barren efforts. See Synonyms at futile.
- Devoid of something specified: writing barren of insight. See Synonyms at empty.
- Lacking in liveliness or interest.
A tract of unproductive land, often with a scrubby growth of trees. Often used in the plural.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English barreine
Origin: , from Old French brahaigne
Origin: , perhaps of Germanic origin
.Related Forms:
- barˈren·ly adverb
- barˈren·ness noun
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