desolate

Pronunciation

adjective

• IPA ^(key): /ˈdɛsələt/

• Audio (US)

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verb

• IPA ^(key): /ˈdɛsəleɪt/

Adjective

Positive desolate

Comparative more desolate

Superlative most desolate

1. If a place is desolate, it is deserted; nobody lives in that place.

   The area around the cave is desolate and filled with jagged rocks.

2. If a place is desolate, it is barren; nothing lives there; it is lifeless.

   The tundra is a desolate place.

3. If a place is desolate, it is not fit to use or live in; it is unfit for use.
4. If something is desolate, it is dismal or dreary.

   The abandoned house looks very desolate.

5. If something or someone is desolate, they are sad, forlorn, or hopeless.

Verb

Plain form desolate

Third-person singular desolates

Past tense desolated

Past participle desolated

Present participle desolating

1. (transitive) If you desolate a place, you devastate it; you lay waste to it.

   The city was desolated during the war.

2. (transitive) If you desolate something, you abandon it; you forsake it.
3. (transitive) If you desolate a place, you take away any life living there.
4. (transitive) If you desolate someone, you make them sad, forlorn, or hopeless.

Related words

• desolation