# maroon

/mɝˈun/ (US) · /məɹˈuːn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/maroon
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

to leave someone alone in a place they cannot escape from, like a desert island. It is often used in stories about sailors or explorers.

For teachers: to leave someone trapped in an isolated place, such as an island, with little hope of escape. Often carries a nautical or historical connotation.

## Examples

- The pirates decided to maroon their captain on a tiny island.
- After the ship sank, the survivors were marooned on a remote coast for three weeks before help arrived.
- The novel explores the psychological breakdown of a sailor marooned by his mutinous crew, forced to survive on a barren rock with nothing but his wits.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, usually a person.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.