Looking up...
desolate
/ˈdɛsələt/
deserted and empty
The once-bustling city center is now desolate, with only a few stray dogs roaming the streets.
The area is completely empty and abandoned, with no people or activity.
literary
Deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness.
The abandoned factory stood desolate, its broken windows staring like hollow eyes.
The factory is empty and in ruins, giving a sense of abandonment and decay.
After the war, the town was left desolate, with no signs of life remaining.
The town was completely destroyed and empty, with no inhabitants or activity.
Often used to describe places or landscapes that evoke feelings of loneliness and abandonment.
literary
Showing the effects of abandonment and neglect.
The garden had become desolate, with weeds choking the once-vibrant flowers.
The garden is overgrown and neglected, with no care or maintenance.
Can describe environments or settings that appear neglected or uncared-for.
literary
(of a person) feeling or showing misery, unhappiness, or loneliness.
She felt desolate after her friends moved away, leaving her alone in the big house.
She experienced deep loneliness and sadness due to being left alone.
Used to describe emotional states of profound sadness or isolation.
literary
To make someone feel utterly wretched and unhappy.
The harsh words from her boss desolated her, leaving her in tears.
The boss's words made her feel completely miserable and devastated.
Rarely used in modern English; more common in older or literary contexts.
Collocations
a desolate landscapea barren, empty areafeel desolateexperience deep sadness or lonelinessleave someone desolatemake someone feel abandoned or miserable
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid clichés
Desolate is often used in exaggerated or clichéd ways (e.g., 'desolate wasteland'). Use it sparingly to maintain its impact. Pair it with specific details to avoid sounding melodramatic.
Gold Rule
Use with purpose
Desolate should evoke a strong emotional or visual response. If you're describing a quiet street, 'deserted' or 'empty' may suffice. Reserve 'desolate' for places or feelings that feel truly abandoned or heartbreaking.
Word Origin
From Latin *desolatus*, past participle of *desolare* 'to abandon, lay waste', from *de-* 'completely' + *solus* 'alone'. The word entered English in the late 14th century, initially with a religious sense of being abandoned by God, later broadening to describe physical and emotional abandonment.
Usage Notes
Desolate is a strong word often used in literary or poetic contexts to evoke a sense of emptiness or sorrow. It can describe both physical spaces and emotional states. Avoid overusing it in casual conversation; reserve it for situations where a vivid, almost dramatic sense of abandonment or loneliness is intended.
Word Breakdown
de-
completely
prefixsolus
alone
root-ate
to make or become
suffixEnglish Dictionary