desolato

desolate

adjective deh-zoh-LAH-toh Rare

Origin: From Latin desolatus, past participle of desolare (to forsake).

Also means

devastated

Usage Note

Desolato describes either a place that is barren and empty (un paesaggio desolato — a desolate landscape) or a person who is devastated and deeply sorry (sono desolato — I am terribly sorry/deeply apologetic). This second use — as a polite expression of regret — is important for learners: sono desolato, ma non posso venire (I am so sorry, but I cannot come).

Examples

"Il paesaggio invernale era completamente desolato."

Natural Translation

The winter landscape was completely desolate.

Free starter pack

Building your Italian vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian Restaurant Etiquette: Mistakes to Avoid

Skip the cappuccino after dinner, never put parmesan on fish, and learn the exact Italian phrases to order gracefully and avoid looking like a tourist.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Numbers 1 to 100: Count Like a Local

Learn Italian numbers 1 to 100 by mastering 0-20, the tens, and 3 spelling rules so you can generate any number from ventuno to novantanove on demand.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Dialects vs Standard Italian: A Guide

Standard Italian works everywhere, so relax: this three-layer guide to Italian dialects vs standard Italian shows what to ignore and what to notice.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

How to Order Coffee in Italy Like a Local

Order coffee in Italy like a local: say un caffè (not espresso), pay at the cassa first, drink al banco, and skip the latte trap. Phrases inside.

June 5, 2026 6 min read