deserted

American  

[dih-zur-tid] / dɪˈzɜr tɪd /

adjective

1. abandoned; forsaken.

   the problems of deserted wives and children.

2. untenanted: without inhabitants.

   a deserted village; a deserted farmhouse.

3. unfrequented; lonely.

   The victim was lured to a deserted spot.

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Other Word Forms

• undeserted adjective

Etymology

Origin of deserted

First recorded in 1620–30; desert ² + -ed ²

Explanation

If something’s deserted it’s empty and abandoned. It's fun to spend an afternoon taking pictures of a deserted house with its overgrown yard and mysterious relics, but come nightfall it might feel a little spooky. The adjective deserted often describes an empty building that’s been abandoned by its owners, but you can use it for anything that’s remote or without any people around. You might get the chills when you walk down a deserted street at night. Deserted can also describe something that’s much less crowded than normal. On Super Bowl Sunday, the shopping mall might be deserted — everyone is home, watching the game.

Example Sentences

Dubai’s sprawling gold market is deserted, in part because buyers from abroad no longer come, and in part because of dramatic fluctuations in gold prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

"People were not going out on campus, it looked deserted," she said.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

As much of downtown L.A. continues to feel dark and deserted, local businesses want the city to steal San Francisco’s secret for firing up foot traffic.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Restaurant terraces sit deserted, while souvenir, watersports and perfume vendors watch for the rare passerby.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

As soon as Masvita left, Nhamo stalked off to the deserted village.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• barren
• derelict
• desolate
• empty
• forlorn
• isolated
• lonely
• neglected
• uninhabited
• vacant