What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
marooned
Example
The shipwreck survivors were marooned on a deserted island for months. [marooned: adjective]
Example
He felt marooned in his job, with no opportunities for growth or advancement. [marooned: verb]
castaway
Example
The castaway spent years alone on the island before being rescued. [castaway: noun]
Example
After the ship sank, he was castaway on a deserted island with no hope of rescue. [castaway: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Castaway is more commonly used than marooned in everyday language, likely due to its association with popular culture references such as the movie 'Cast Away'.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between marooned and castaway?
Both marooned and castaway are relatively formal words, but marooned may be slightly more formal due to its less common usage.