Infertility vs. Barren — What's the Difference?

Infertility is the inability of a person, animal or plant to reproduce by natural means. It is usually not the natural state of a healthy adult, except notably among certain eusocial species (mostly haplodiploid insects).

(of land) too poor to produce much or any vegetation

Absent or diminished fertility.

(of a place or building) bleak and lifeless

The persistent inability to conceive a child.

A barren tract or tracts of land

The condition of being infertile; of having poor fertility.

A group or drove of mules

The inability to conceive children.

Not producing or incapable of producing offspring. Used of female animals.

The state or quality of being infertile; unproductiveness; barrenness.

Often Offensive Not producing or incapable of producing offspring. Used of women.

The state of being unable to produce offspring; in a woman it is an inability to conceive; in a man it is an inability to impregnate

Not producing or incapable of producing fruit

Lacking vegetation, especially useful vegetation

Unproductive of results or gains; unprofitable

Devoid of something specified

Lacking in liveliness or interest

Often barrens A tract of unproductive land, often with a scrubby growth of trees.

(not comparable) Unable to bear children; sterile.

Of poor fertility, infertile; not producing vegetation.

Bleak.

Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty.

Mentally dull; stupid.

An area of low fertility and habitation, a desolate place.

Incapable of producing offspring; producing no young; sterile; - said of women and female animals.

Not producing vegetation, or useful vegetation; sterile.

Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty.

Mentally dull; stupid.

A tract of barren land.

Elevated lands or plains on which grow small trees, but not timber; as, pine barrens; oak barrens. They are not necessarily sterile, and are often fertile.

An uninhabited wilderness that is worthless for cultivation;

Providing no shelter or sustenance;

Not bearing offspring;

Incapable of sustaining life;