Basic Details
Word: Desolate
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Empty and bare; a place that feels lonely and without life.
Synonyms: Abandoned, deserted, bleak
Antonyms: Crowded, populated, cheerful
Idioms and Phrases
- Desolate heart: A feeling of deep sadness or loneliness. Example: "After his friend moved away, he often felt a desolate heart."
- Desolate landscape: An area that appears empty and lifeless. Example: "The aftermath of the storm left a desolate landscape, with fallen trees and debris everywhere."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The village looked desolate after the heavy snowfall had covered everything in white.
Example 2: She felt desolate when she realised she was the only one at the party.
Example 3: The old, desolate castle stood alone on the hill, surrounded by nothing but wilderness.
Fun Fact
The word "desolate" comes from the Latin word desolare, which means "to leave alone" or "to abandon." This shows how the word is connected to feelings of emptiness and loneliness.
Famous Quote
"The desolate world is not a place, but a state of mind." William Faulkner
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "desolate" mean?
a) Full of life
b) Empty and bare
c) Bright and cheerful
d) Busy and crowded
Answer: b) Empty and bare
2. Which of these is a synonym of "desolate"?
a) Vibrant
b) Abandoned
c) Full
d) Populated
Answer: b) Abandoned
3. What is an antonym of "desolate"?
a) Lonely
b) Bleak
c) Crowded
d) Empty
Answer: c) Crowded
4. Which sentence uses "desolate" correctly?
a) The party was desolate with many people dancing.
b) The desolate beach had no one swimming.
c) The children played in the desolate park.
d) The shop was desolate with lots of customers inside.
Answer: b) The desolate beach had no one swimming.
5. Which idiom describes a feeling of sadness?
a) Desolate heart
b) Heart of gold
c) Cold as ice
d) Bee's knees
Answer: a) Desolate heart
