wilderness
WIHL-duh-nuhs
Wilderness (noun) means a wild, natural area with no human settlement or cultivation. Example: “The nearest road is a day's walk away, deep in the wilderness.”
noun
1
A wild, natural area with no human settlement or cultivation.
"The nearest road is a day's walk away, deep in the wilderness."
"They spent two weeks hiking through the Alaskan wilderness."
"Conservationists are fighting to protect the last untouched wilderness in the region."
2
A period out of power, favour, or public attention.
"The singer spent years in the wilderness before audiences rediscovered her songs."
"He feared that one bad season would send him into the wilderness for good."
"After losing the election, the party spent a decade in the political wilderness."
How to use wilderness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn untouched natural area, or figuratively, a period of being out of power or public favour.
Common pairings
vast wilderness
political wilderness
wilderness area
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Word forms
- Plural
- wildernesses
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The nearest road is a day's walk away, deep in the _____.
Etymology
From Old English roots meaning "place of wild animals," ultimately combining "wild" with an old word for "beast."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for wilderness
See all rhymes for wilderness →Frequently asked questions
What does “wilderness” mean?
The word “wilderness” means a wild, natural area with no human settlement or cultivation. In plain terms, an untouched natural area, or figuratively, a period of being out of power or public favour.
How do you pronounce “wilderness”?
“Wilderness” is pronounced WIHL-duh-nuhs (/ˈwɪldɚnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “wilderness” in a sentence?
Here is “wilderness” used in a sentence: “They spent two weeks hiking through the Alaskan wilderness.”
What is another word for “wilderness”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wilderness” include bushland, wild and wildland.
What part of speech is “wilderness”?
“Wilderness” is a noun.
Where does the word “wilderness” come from?
The word “wilderness” comes from Old English. From Old English roots meaning "place of wild animals," ultimately combining "wild" with an old word for "beast.".
Is “wilderness” a common word?
“Wilderness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “wilderness” have?
“Wilderness” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wild, natural area with no human settlement or cultivation.
What is the difference between a wilderness and a forest?
A forest is specifically an area covered with trees, while a wilderness is any wild, natural area with no human settlement or cultivation. A wilderness may contain forest, but it can equally be desert, tundra, mountains, or marshland.
What is the difference between wilderness and wasteland?
A wilderness is a wild but often thriving natural area untouched by settlement, whereas a wasteland suggests barren, damaged, or unusable ground. Wasteland carries a more negative sense of emptiness or ruin, while wilderness need not be bleak at all.
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