denude
dih-NOOD
/dɪˈnjuːd/
To strip something of its covering, possessions, or assets; to make bare.
In ecology, it specifically refers to stripping the land of all vegetation, often leading to erosion.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'denudare', from 'de-' (completely) + 'nudare' (to make naked). It shares the same root as 'nude'.
Word relationships
- strip: Strip is more common and less formal than denude.
- clothe: To cover or provide with a layer.
Commonly confused with
- deforest: Deforest is specific to trees; denude can apply to any vegetation or covering.
Word family
- denudation (noun): The process of stripping or making bare.
Collocations
- denuded landscape
- denuded of vegetation
- completely denuded
Example sentences
- "The hillsides were denuded of trees by the massive wildfire, leaving the soil vulnerable to landslides." Environmental disaster
- "Centuries of overgrazing have denuded the once-lush valley." Historical account
Memory hook
If you 'denude' the land, you make it 'nude' (bare). Denude = De-nude (make bare).
When not to use
Rarely used for people getting undressed; usually reserved for landscapes or abstract concepts like 'denuded of power'.
Fun facts
- In geology, denudation refers to the wearing away of the Earth's surface by moving water, ice, and wind.
Related words
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