barren

C1 · Advanced Literary

adj. completely lacking in something, such as interest, ideas, or life.

adj. devoid of something specified; lacking in interest, attraction, or substance.

“The room was barren of any furniture except for a single wooden chair.”

“His early novels were criticized for being barren of emotional depth, focusing instead on technical descriptions of machinery.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. not producing any useful results or success.

adj. fruitless or unprofitable; failing to produce a desired result or effect.

“After hours of barren discussion, the committee still had no plan.”

“The team endured a barren spell of fifteen games without a single goal, leading to the manager's eventual dismissal.”

C1 · Advanced Medicine Formal

adj. unable to produce children or young.

adj. biologically incapable of producing offspring or fruit.

“The old stories tell of a queen who was barren and prayed for a child.”

“The orchard remained barren for three seasons due to a persistent fungal infection that destroyed the blossoms before they could set fruit.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical · American English

n. a large area of poor land where only small bushes or grass can grow.

n. an expanse of relatively infertile land, often elevated, that supports only stunted vegetation.

“They hiked across the pine barrens for two days without seeing another person.”

“The coastal barrens are home to a unique variety of shrubs that have adapted to the salty winds and nutrient-poor soil.”