What does ravined mean?
Ravined describes land that is marked by ravines: deep, narrow depressions formed through erosion by running water. The adjective conveys a rugged, strongly dissected landscape, often one in which ridges, gullies, and steep-sided channels interrupt an otherwise open stretch of ground. It is more specific than merely hilly or rocky, because it identifies the characteristic presence of water-cut ravines. Writers commonly use it in geographical, literary, and descriptive contexts, especially for terrain that appears deeply furrowed or intricately divided. The word may suggest both visual drama and difficult travel, though its emphasis is primarily descriptive rather than evaluative. In modern English, ravined is less common than the related noun ravine, but it is useful when a particular passage, sentence, or label needs to characterize a landscape by the ravines that run through it.
adjectiveHaving or characterized by ravines or deep, narrow depressions; deeply furrowed or rugged.
- Having ravines or deep, narrow depressions; rugged and furrowed by erosion.
"The road wound through the ravined hills before descending into the valley."
"They crossed a broad expanse of ravined limestone country on horseback."
"Rain transformed the normally dry ravined slope into a network of muddy streams."
Ravined terrain bears the visible scars of water cutting through earth over time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ravined come from?
Ravined was formed from the noun ravine with the suffix -ed, meaning “having ravines” or “marked by ravines.” The noun ravine came through Old French from Medieval Latin ravina, referring to a hollow or excavated place. The related form ravin also survives, chiefly in older or specialized usage.
Related word forms
How ravined is actually used
This is a relatively uncommon, somewhat literary adjective. It is especially natural in descriptions of landscapes, hillsides, valleys, and other landforms shaped by erosion.
Easily confused with ravined
A ravine is the narrow depression itself, whereas ravined is an adjective describing land marked by such depressions.