abandoned
uh-BAN-duhnd
Abandoned (adj) means Left behind and no longer cared for, used, or lived in. Example: “They explored an abandoned house on the edge of town.”
adj
1
Left behind and no longer cared for, used, or lived in.
"They explored an abandoned house on the edge of town."
"The abandoned car sat rusting by the roadside for months."
"Weeds had taken over the abandoned garden behind the old farmhouse."
2
Completely free of restraint or inhibition.
"They laughed with abandoned joy when the exams were finally over."
"He sang in an abandoned way, not caring who was listening."
"She danced with abandoned energy once the music started."
How to use abandoned
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGiven up, deserted, or left with no one taking care of it anymore.
Common pairings
abandoned building
abandoned car
abandoned village
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more abandoned
- Superlative
- most abandoned
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They explored an _____ house on the edge of town.
Etymology
From Middle English abandoned, equivalent to abandon + -ed.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for abandoned
See all rhymes for abandoned →Frequently asked questions
What does “abandoned” mean?
The word “abandoned” means left behind and no longer cared for, used, or lived in. In plain terms, given up, deserted, or left with no one taking care of it anymore.
How do you pronounce “abandoned”?
“Abandoned” is pronounced uh-BAN-duhnd (/əˈbæn.dənd/ in IPA).
How do you use “abandoned” in a sentence?
Here is “abandoned” used in a sentence: “They explored an abandoned house on the edge of town.”
What is another word for “abandoned”?
Words with a similar meaning to “abandoned” include corrupt, demoralized, depraved, graceless, hardened and impetuous.
What is the opposite of “abandoned”?
The opposite of “abandoned” — its antonyms — are maintained, owned, possessed, unabandoned and unforsaken.
What part of speech is “abandoned”?
“Abandoned” is an adjective.
Is “abandoned” a common word?
“Abandoned” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “abandoned” have?
“Abandoned” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: left behind and no longer cared for, used, or lived in.
What is the difference between abandoned and deserted?
The two overlap and are often interchangeable. 'Abandoned' stresses that someone left something behind and gave up on it, as with an abandoned car. 'Deserted' stresses the resulting emptiness, especially of people, as with a deserted street. Something abandoned is usually deserted, but the focus differs slightly.
What is the opposite of abandoned?
The opposite depends on the sense. For a place, it is 'occupied', 'inhabited', or 'lived-in'. For something cared for, it is 'maintained', 'kept', or 'looked after'. In short, whatever is abandoned has been left and neglected, while its opposite is still used, valued, and cared for.
What is an example of something abandoned?
Common examples include an abandoned house with broken windows, an abandoned factory left to decay, or an abandoned pet left without an owner. In each case something has been left behind and is no longer used or cared for. The word can also describe abandoned plans or projects.
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