Word
wilderness
A wilderness is a large area of wild land that is not developed or inhabited.
Meanings
a large natural area that has not been developed by people
a confusing or uncontrolled situation that feels hard to manage
Definition
A wilderness is a natural area where there are few or no buildings, roads, or people. It is often covered with forests, mountains, deserts, or other wild landscapes. People may visit a wilderness for hiking, camping, or exploring, but it is not shaped much by human activity.
Examples
- They spent a week hiking through the wilderness.
- The cabin sits on the edge of the wilderness.
- After the storm, the garden looked like a wilderness.
- He felt lost in the wilderness of new rules and paperwork.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "a wilderness" when they mean "the wilderness" in general (nature in wild places), but the article depends on whether you mean a specific area or the idea overall.
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