desolate

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "desolate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a place that is empty, barren, or devoid of life, often evoking feelings of loneliness or abandonment. Example: "The once vibrant town now lay desolate, with crumbling buildings and overgrown streets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Howell later apologised for "any offence caused" by his comments and said he didn't believe the north-east was desolate.

The Guardian

The region may not be "desolate", as a Tory peer so memorably misdescribed it, but venues can be a bit quiet on a week night.

The Guardian - Music

At the opposite extreme of England, another mysterious phenomenon is about to appear around the West Country coast: a floating island, a mini-geography that is desolate and unfamiliar, composed of rock and moraine from the Arctic.

The Guardian - Arts

We were standing in what was once Sewingshields milecastle, gaping at the moody desolate Cheviot hills.

The Guardian - Travel

The area was desolate and unlit when Rhodes first moved in 20 years ago, and things in the immediate vicinity haven't changed much since 1997, he says.

The Guardian

Alien centred on an intergalactic cargo vessel which touches down on a desolate planet in response to a distress signal.

The Guardian - Film

Chances are, when you conjure up an image of a country town, it is either a desolate main street, or a large regional centre, or the red earth of an outback town with a stray dog scratching.

The Guardian

The peer, who lives in southern England, said: "But there are large and uninhabited and desolate areas.

The Guardian

But the desolate drives through redneck badlands proved instead to be our first experience of being loathed, hated and threatened by the few inhospitable Americans we ever met.

The Guardian - Music

I explore the desolate beaches with Tom, for this is his childhood playground.

The Guardian - Travel

On Sunday, I took a 30-minute walk around two desolate arable fields near Wells-next-the-Sea Wells-next-the-Sea Wells-next-the-Sea Wells-next-the-Seand, possinly, a rough-legged buzzard.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desolate" to describe a place that is not only empty but also evokes feelings of sadness or loneliness. It's stronger than simply saying a place is "empty" or "uninhabited".

Common error

Avoid using "desolate" when you simply mean "isolated". While both suggest a lack of connection, "desolate" carries a stronger connotation of sadness and abandonment, whereas "isolated" merely implies physical separation. If the place is just far away and quiet, "isolated" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "desolate" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe places or situations characterized by emptiness, abandonment, and often a sense of sadness. Ludwig's examples show "desolate" modifying "island", "hills", "beaches" and "fields".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

The Economist

28%

The Guardian

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desolate" is a versatile adjective used to describe places or situations characterized by emptiness, abandonment, and a sense of sadness. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily to evoke feelings of loneliness and despair, and is most frequently encountered in news and media sources. While grammatically correct and commonly used, it's important not to confuse "desolate" with simply "isolated", as "desolate" carries a stronger emotional charge. Use "desolate" to add depth and emotion to your descriptions, but choose it carefully to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barren

Focuses on the lack of vegetation or productivity in a landscape.

bleak

Emphasizes the cold, harsh, and unwelcoming nature of a place or situation.

abandoned

Highlights the state of being deserted or forsaken.

deserted

Similar to abandoned, but often implies a sudden or unexpected departure.

forlorn

Emphasizes the sense of sadness and loneliness associated with being deserted.

desolate wasteland

Highlights the complete emptiness and destruction of an area.

empty

Simply describes the absence of people or things.

uninhabited

Specifically refers to the absence of human inhabitants.

depopulated

Indicates a reduction in the population of an area, leading to emptiness.

devastated

Implies that something has been destroyed or ruined, leaving it empty and barren.

FAQs

How can I use "desolate" in a sentence?

"Desolate" can be used to describe places that are deserted, barren, and often evoke a sense of sadness. For example, "The "desolate beach" stretched for miles, with no sign of life."

What can I say instead of "desolate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "barren", "bleak", or "abandoned" to convey similar meanings.

What does "desolate" mean?

"Desolate" means deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness. It often implies a feeling of sadness or loneliness associated with the emptiness.

Is it correct to describe a person as "desolate"?

Yes, "desolate" can describe a person, especially when they are feeling lonely, sad, and abandoned. For instance, "He felt "desolate after the loss" of his loved one."