barren

[ bar-uhn ]
/ ˈbær ən /

adjective

noun

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

Origin of barren

1200–50; Middle English bareyn(e), barayn(e) < Anglo-French barai( gn)e, Old French brahaigne (French bréhaigne (of animals) sterile), akin to Spanish breña scrubby, uncultivated ground, Upper Italian barena land along a lagoon covered by high water; apparently < Celtic, compare Welsh braenar, Irish branar fallow land, but derivational details unclear

synonym study for barren

2. See bare1.

OTHER WORDS FROM barren

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH barren

barren baron baronet

Example sentences from the Web for barren

British Dictionary definitions for barren

barren
/ (ˈbærən) /

adjective

incapable of producing offspring, seed, or fruit; sterile a barren tree
unable to support the growth of crops, etc; unproductive; bare barren land
lacking in stimulation or ideas; dull a rather barren play
not producing worthwhile results; unprofitable a barren period in a writer's life
(foll by of) totally lacking (in); devoid (of) his speech was barren of wit
(of rock strata) having no fossils

Derived forms of barren

barrenly, adverb barrenness, noun

Word Origin for barren

C13: from Old French brahain, of uncertain origin

Medical definitions for barren

barren
[ bărən ]

adj.

Not producing offspring.
Incapable of producing offspring.