寥
sparse; quiet; empty; surname
Meanings
4 senses · 17 examplesadjective
sparse; rare; few
Often used to describe a small number of people or things.
The villages in this mountain area are sparse, with few outsiders visiting.
The stars in the night sky are as sparse as morning stars, almost entirely covered by clouds.
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The once bustling market now only has a handful of sparse shops left.
The number of participating contestants is sparse, so the competition had to be postponed.
Pedestrians are sparse on the late autumn streets, carrying a hint of desolation.
adjective
quiet; still; silent
formalUsed to describe a quiet, deserted environment, often in literary or formal contexts.
The quiet alley at midnight is completely silent, only the rustle of wind through leaves.
The campus has grown quiet after the holiday, with none of the往日 hustle and bustle.
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The empty valley is quiet and uninhabited, only the sound of bird calls echoing.
The atmosphere in the hospital room is so quiet that you can hear your own heartbeat.
The beach has grown quiet after the heavy rain, only the gentle crashing of waves remains.
adjective
empty; vast; desolate
literaryUsed to describe wide, open spaces with few people or things, often in literary writing.
Standing on the vast grassland, I feel very small.
The vast autumn wilderness is uninhabited, only withered yellow grass swaying in the wind.
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The universe is vast, and humans are just a drop in the ocean.
Standing on the mountain top and looking down, I only see the vast sea of clouds surging nonstop.
This desert is vast and boundless, with no signs of life visible.
noun
surname Liao
Used as a family name in Chinese.
Mr. Liao is a new colleague at our company.
My neighbor is surnamed Liao, and their family has a lovely little girl.