wilderness
WIL-der-nis
/ˈwɪl.də.nəs/
An uncultivated, uninhabited, and wild region left in its natural state.
Connotes untamed, pristine natural territory untouched by human urban development or agriculture.
The story behind the word. Derived from Old English wilddeoren (of wild beasts). Literally 'the lair or place of wild animals', emphasizing territory unshaped by humans.
Word relationships
- backcountry: Backcountry refers to remote rural land, whereas wilderness implies completely untamed, pristine nature.
- civilization: Civilization refers to developed human society, whereas wilderness is completely wild and undeveloped.
Commonly confused with
- wildlife: Wildlife refers to the animals living in nature, while wilderness refers to the wild land itself.
Word family
- wildernesses (noun): Plural untamed wild areas.
Collocations
- pristine wilderness
- wilderness area
- into the wilderness
- wilderness preservation
Idioms & expressions
- voice in the wilderness
Example sentences
- "They hiked deep into the Alaskan wilderness, miles away from the nearest road or human settlement." Outdoor Trekking
Memory hook
WILD-DEER-NESS: A place where wild beasts roam freely. Wilderness = pristine, untamed wild land.
When not to use
Do not use for cultivated farmlands, urban parks, or residential neighborhoods.
Fun facts
- The United States passed the Wilderness Act in 1964, defining wild land legally as an area where human presence is temporary.
Related words
Explore more words
wildfire, frontier, secluded, desolation, terrain, countryside
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