barren
10 synonyms and 2 antonyms for barren, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not producing crops, plants, or life; unproductive land.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use barren
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
barren land
barren landscape
barren wasteland
Using barren to describe a person unable to have children is now considered old-fashioned and can sound harsh; infertile is the more neutral modern term.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman baraigne ("sterile"), probably from a Germanic root related to "bare."
Full origin of barren →Frequently asked questions
What does “barren” mean?
The word “barren” means not producing crops, plants, or life; unproductive land. In plain terms, empty and unproductive — describing land that grows nothing, or, more figuratively, ideas or efforts that lead nowhere.
How do you pronounce “barren”?
“Barren” is pronounced BA-ruhn (/ˈbæɹən/ in IPA).
How do you use “barren” in a sentence?
Here is “barren” used in a sentence: “Nothing grew in the barren stretch of desert for miles.”
What is another word for “barren”?
Words with a similar meaning to “barren” include sterile and fruitless.
What is the opposite of “barren”?
The opposite of “barren” — its antonyms — are fertile and fruitful.
What part of speech is “barren”?
“Barren” is an adjective.
Where does the word “barren” come from?
The word “barren” comes from Germanic. From Anglo-Norman baraigne ("sterile"), probably from a Germanic root related to "bare.".
Is “barren” a common word?
“Barren” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
