A2noun10K+

Desert

UK /["/ˈdezət/"]/US /["/ˈdezərt/"]/

Definition

a large area of land that has very little water and very few plants growing on it. Many deserts are covered by sand.

In simple words: A large area with very little water and few plants, usually sandy.

Examples

  • The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world.
  • Many animals, like camels, are adapted to live in the desert.
  • They decided to desert the ship when it began to sink.
  • She felt sad when her friends chose to desert her during the game.
  • The desert landscape is often dry and has very few plants.

Usage notes

Use 'desert' to describe barren landscapes or to talk about environments like the Sahara. Be careful not to confuse it with 'dessert', which means sweet food served after a meal.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'desert' as a 'desolate' place with sand and little life.

Collocations

  • arid
  • barren
  • dry
  • become
  • turn into
  • turn to
  • stretch
  • area
  • country
  • land
  • across the desert
  • through the desert
  • in the desert

Synonyms

  • wasteland
  • barren
  • dry land
  • savanna

Antonyms

  • oasis
  • jungle
  • forest

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'dessert', the sweet course after a meal.
  • Using 'desert' in a plural form incorrectly.
  • Mispronouncing it as 'dee-zurt' instead of 'deh-zurt'.