wasteland

/ˈweɪstlænd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈweɪstlænd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwāst-ˌland also -lənd/ (ame, mw)

wasteland — noun

  • wastelandsingular
  • wastelandsplural

1. An area of ground, especially in or around cities, that has been ruined or negle

1.名詞B2
釋義

An area of ground, especially in or around cities, that has been ruined or neglected so that nothing useful can grow and no buildings remain in usable condition.

例句

The old factory was torn down, leaving a wasteland of broken bricks and weeds.

collocation: a wasteland of [rubble/bricks/weeds]

Beyond the city limits, a vast wasteland stretched for miles with no trees or water.

同義詞
  • desert

    a dry, sandy region with very little water; less specific to human-caused ruin

  • wilderness

    a wild natural area untouched by development; not necessarily ruined or barren

  • barren land

    land where crops cannot grow; narrower in meaning, focusing only on infertility

反義詞

文法句型

[adjective] + wasteland

a wasteland of [something]

用法筆記

Often used with adjectives like 'industrial', 'urban', or 'nuclear' to describe the type of damage or neglect.

常見錯誤

❌I forgot to water my plants, so the garden became a wasteland.
✅I forgot to water my plants, so they all died.
💡'wasteland' implies a large area with severe, lasting damage, not just neglected plants.

2. A period, situation, or area of life that offers nothing positive, interesting,

2.名詞B2
釋義

A period, situation, or area of life that offers nothing positive, interesting, or mentally stimulating.

例句

The years after the war were a cultural wasteland with no new music or art.

collocation: cultural/intellectual/spiritual wasteland

Adaeze felt her small town was an intellectual wasteland where nobody discussed ideas.

同義詞
  • desert

    used similarly in phrases like 'cultural desert'; slightly more literary

  • void

    emphasizes complete emptiness; more abstract and emotional in tone

  • dead zone

    informal; emphasizes lack of activity or growth in a particular area

反義詞
  • hub

    a center of vibrant activity, culture, or production

文法句型

[adjective] + wasteland

a wasteland of [something]

用法筆記

Almost always used with a preceding adjective or noun modifier that specifies the missing quality — e.g., 'cultural', 'intellectual', 'spiritual', or 'creative'. Rarely used alone without a modifier.

常見錯誤

❌After the party, the living room was a wasteland of empty cups.
✅After the party, the living room was covered in empty cups.
💡'wasteland' suggests a serious, long-lasting lack of positive qualities, not just temporary mess.