barren

American  

[bar-uhn] / ˈbær ən /

adjective

1. not producing or incapable of producing offspring; sterile.

   a barren woman.

   Synonyms:

   infertile , unprolific , childless

   Antonyms:

   fertile

2. unproductive; unfruitful.

   barren land.

   Synonyms:

   waste , infertile

   Antonyms:

   fertile

3. without capacity to interest or attract.

   a barren period in American architecture.

   Antonyms:

   fertile

4. mentally unproductive; dull; stupid.

   Antonyms:

   fertile

5. not producing results; fruitless.

   a barren effort.

   Synonyms:

   ineffective , ineffectual

   Antonyms:

   fertile

6. destitute; bereft; lacking (usually followed byof ).

   barren of tender feelings.

   Antonyms:

   fertile

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noun

1. Usually barrens. level or slightly rolling land, usually with a sandy soil and few trees, and relatively infertile.

barren British  

/ ˈbærən /

adjective

1. incapable of producing offspring, seed, or fruit; sterile

   a barren tree

2. unable to support the growth of crops, etc; unproductive; bare

   barren land

3. lacking in stimulation or ideas; dull

   a rather barren play

4. not producing worthwhile results; unprofitable

   a barren period in a writer's life

5. (foll by of) totally lacking (in); devoid (of)

   his speech was barren of wit

6. (of rock strata) having no fossils

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Related Words

See bare ¹.

Other Word Forms

• barrenly adverb
• barrenness noun
• unbarren adjective
• unbarrenly adverb
• unbarrenness noun

Etymology

Origin of barren

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English barayn(e), bareyn(e), from Anglo-French barai(gn)e, Old French brahaigne ( French bréhaigne “sterile”), akin to Spanish breña “scrubby, uncultivated ground,” Upper Italian barena “land along a lagoon covered by high water,” all of disputed ultimate origin; perhaps from Celtic (compare Irish branar, Welsh braenar “fallow land”); alternatively, perhaps from a Germanic source akin to Old English bær, Old High German bar ( bare ¹ ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

Under a contentious deal inked with Australia this year, the island nation will provide 30-year visas for up to 350 immigrants -- many convicted of serious crimes -- for resettlement on the barren atoll.

From Barron's

This perspective may help clarify why Earth ended up with oceans and life, while Venus became extremely hot and Mars turned cold and barren.

From Science Daily

What struck settlers as barren and hostile became austere and beautiful to tourists.

From Los Angeles Times

And with three races remaining in the season, it’s now a mathematical certainty: The longest barren run since Ferrari began racing 75 years ago will continue.

From The Wall Street Journal

As Goldberg reported, voters see Platner as “a fighter,” and that designation matters in a barren political landscape where the only other choice is despair.

From Salon

Related Words

• arid
• desolate
• empty
• impoverished
• infertile
• parched
• sterile