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   barren

   /ˈbarən/

   adjective

   • 1. (of land) too poor to produce much or any vegetation: "the plains of Kyrenia were barren" Similar unproductiveinfertileunfruitfulsterileariddesertwastedesolateuncultivatableimpoverishedOpposite fertileproductive
   • ▪ (of a tree or plant) not producing fruit or seed: "the barren fig tree"
   • ▪ showing no results or achievements; unproductive: "he scored yesterday to end his barren spell"
   • ▪ (of a woman) infertile. archaic Similar infertilesterilechildlesstechnical:infecundOpposite fertile
   • ▪ (of a female animal) not pregnant or unable to become so.
   • 2. (of a place or building) bleak and lifeless: "the sports hall turned out to be a rather barren concrete building"
   • ▪ empty of meaning or value: "your life will be barren" Similar pointlessfutileworthlessprofitlessvaluelessunrewardingpurposelessuselessvainaimlessuninterestingboringdulldrabdryaridflatlifelessuninspiringunstimulatingstaleprosaichollowemptyvacuousvapidOpposite stimulatingfruitful
   • ▪ devoid of: "the room was barren of furniture"

   noun

   • 1. a barren tract or tracts of land: North American "the Newfoundland barrens"
   • 2. a group or drove of mules: rare "the Greeks were seen to drive a barren of mules"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French barhaine, of unknown origin.

   Derivatives

   • 1. barrenly adverb
   • 2. barrenness noun

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • B

     3

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

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