Definition

An area of land that is empty, desolate, or not suitable for living or growing things. It can also refer to a situation or place that lacks beauty or human qualities.

Example

After the factory closed, the area became a wasteland with no signs of life.

Conversation

Have you ever visited that old amusement park on the outskirts of town?

Yeah, it’s such a sad place now; it feels like a total wasteland.

I can’t believe how quickly it fell apart, it used to be so lively.

I know, right? Now it’s just a reminder of what it used to be.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Wasteland → It is formed from "waste" (from Old English *wæst, meaning desolate or unproductive land) and "land" (from Old English *land, meaning ground or territory). The word "wasteland" refers to land that is barren or uninhabitable, emphasizing its desolate nature.

Memory Tip

Imagine a piece of land that is 'unproductive' ('waste') and is simply 'ground' ('land') — that's why a wasteland is a barren area.

Visually Confused Words