barrenness
/ˈbærənnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbærənnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈber-ə(n)-nəs ˈba-rə(n)-/ (ame, mw)
barrenness — noun
1. The state of land or soil that cannot support the growth of plants or crops, oft
The state of land or soil that cannot support the growth of plants or crops, often because the ground lacks enough water or nutrients.
After decades of over-farming, the barrenness of the land forced many families to leave their ancestral villages.
barrenness of the land
The soil's barrenness meant that only a few tough weeds could survive in the dry summer heat.
soil's barrenness
Ricardo studied the barrenness of the volcanic slopes where nothing had grown for centuries.
The barrenness of the desert farmland pushed the community to build an irrigation system.
- infertility
more common in modern usage; 'barrenness' is more literary or formal
- sterility
stronger, suggesting the land is completely unable to support any life
- unfruitfulness
less common, often used in older texts
- fertility
the most direct antonym; describes rich soil that supports plant growth
- fruitfulness
emphasises the ability to produce abundant crops
用法筆記
This sense specifically describes soil or land conditions. It is the most literal meaning of the word.
常見錯誤
2. The condition of being unable to produce children or bear young animals, whether
The condition of being unable to produce children or bear young animals, whether in humans, farm animals, or wild creatures.
After two years of trying to conceive, Ana and her husband consulted a specialist who explained the causes of barrenness and possible treatments.
causes of barrenness
The veterinarian diagnosed barrenness in three of the ewes and recommended a change in their diet.
barrenness in three of the ewes
Fatima read several books on fertility after learning that barrenness ran in her family.
In seventeenth-century rural England, women like Anne who could not bear children were often wrongly believed to be cursed by their neighbours.
- infertility
the standard modern medical term; neutral and preferred in clinical contexts
- sterility
implies a permanent inability to reproduce, often used for animals or as a stronger term
用法筆記
When referring to humans, 'barrenness' can sound dated or harsh. Modern clinical contexts strongly prefer 'infertility'. The word is more common in historical, literary, or formal writing.
常見錯誤
3. A state or quality of being empty of useful ideas, creative energy, or valuable
A state or quality of being empty of useful ideas, creative energy, or valuable content — for example, an artist's imagination, a discussion, or a period of time that yields nothing new or interesting.
Neha stared at the blank canvas, frustrated by the barrenness of her imagination.
barrenness of her imagination
Critics complained about the barrenness of the exhibition, which showed no new artistic ideas at all.
barrenness of the exhibition
After the merger the company suffered from a creative barrenness that lasted several years.
Gabriel left the lecture disappointed by the barrenness of the professor's arguments.
- emptiness
more general; lacks the specific sense of wasted potential that 'barrenness' carries
- sterility
stronger, implies a complete absence of anything valuable or interesting
- hollowness
suggests that something appears meaningful but is actually empty
- creativity
the direct opposite — the ability to produce new ideas
- richness
describes content that is full of interesting or valuable material
- fruitfulness
emphasises productive output and positive results
用法筆記
This is a figurative sense. Unlike 'emptiness', 'barrenness' carries a sense of disappointment — something that should be productive or interesting is not. It is most common in literary criticism, reviews, and formal commentary on creative or intellectual work.