Definition of 'desert'

Word Frequency

desert

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense deserts, present participle deserting , past tense, past participle deserted pronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (dezəʳt ). The verb is pronounced (dɪzɜːʳt ) and is hyphenated de+sert.

1. variable noun [oft in names]

A desert is a large area of land, usually in a hot region, where there is almost no water, rain, trees, or plants.

...the Sahara Desert.

...the burning desert sun.

The vehicles have been modified to suit conditions in the desert.

Synonyms: wilderness, waste, wilds, wasteland More Synonyms of desert

2. countable noun [with supplement]

If you refer to a place or situation as a desert, you think it is bad for people because it is not interesting, exciting, or useful in any way.

[disapproval]

They live in 12 high-rise apartment buildings that sit in a desert of concrete.

3. verb

If people or animals desert a place, they leave it and it becomes empty.

Farmers are deserting their fields and coming here looking for jobs. [VERB noun]

After the show, the audience deserts the Blackpool streets. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: abandon, leave, give up, quit [informal] More Synonyms of desert

deserted adjective

They went off to swim in the pool, which was now deserted.

She led them into a deserted sidestreet.

Synonyms: empty, abandoned, desolate, neglected More Synonyms of desert

Synonyms: abandoned, neglected, forsaken, lonely More Synonyms of desert

4. verb

If someone deserts you, they go away and leave you, and no longer help or support you.

Mrs Roding's husband deserted her years ago. [VERB noun]

He has been deserted by most of his advisers. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: leave, abandon, dump [informal], strand More Synonyms of desert

desertion (dɪzɜːʳʃən )Word forms: plural desertions variable noun

...her father's desertion.

Synonyms: abandonment, betrayal, forsaking, dereliction More Synonyms of desert

5. verb

If you desert something that you support, use, or are involved with, you stop supporting it, using it, or being involved with it.

The paper's price rise will encourage readers to desert in even greater numbers. [VERB]

He was pained to see many youngsters deserting kibbutz life. [VERB noun]

Discerning shoppers are deserting supermarkets for artisan bakers. [VERB noun + for]

desertion variable noun

...a mass desertion of the Party by the electorate. [+ of]

...possible further desertions from the party at its conference.

Synonyms: abandonment, betrayal, forsaking, dereliction More Synonyms of desert

Synonyms: defection, betrayal, reneging, repudiation More Synonyms of desert

6. verb

If a quality or skill that you normally have deserts you, you suddenly find that you do not have it when you need it or want it.

Even when he appeared to be depressed, a dry sense of humour never deserted him. [VERB noun]

She lost the next five games, and the set, as her confidence abruptly deserted her. [VERB noun]

7. verb

If someone deserts, or deserts a job, especially a job in the armed forces, they leave that job without permission.

He was a second-lieutenant in the army until he deserted. [VERB]

He deserted from army intelligence last month. [VERB + from]

Synonyms: abscond, flee, defect, decamp More Synonyms of desert

desertion variable noun

The high rate of desertion has added to the army's woes.

There were a growing number of desertions from the federal army.

Synonyms: abandonment, betrayal, forsaking, dereliction More Synonyms of desert

Synonyms: absconding, flight, escape [informal], running away More Synonyms of desert

See to get your just deserts

More Synonyms of desert

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desert

Video: pronunciation of
desert

desert in British English 1

(ˈdɛzət )

noun

a region that is devoid or almost devoid of vegetation, esp because of low rainfall

an uncultivated uninhabited region

a place which lacks some desirable feature or quality

a cultural desert

4. (modifier)

of, relating to, or like a desert; infertile or desolate

Word origin

C13: from Old French, from Church Latin dēsertum, from Latin dēserere to abandon, literally: to sever one's links with, from de- + serere to bind together

Word Frequency

desert in British English 2

(dɪˈzɜːt )

verb

1. (transitive)

to leave or abandon (a person, place, etc) without intending to return, esp in violation of a duty, promise, or obligation

2. military

to abscond from (a post or duty) with no intention of returning

3. (transitive)

to fail (someone) in time of need

his good humour temporarily deserted him

4. (transitive) Scots law

to give up or postpone (a case or charge)

Derived forms

deserted (deˈserted)

adjective

deserter (deˈserter)

noun

Word origin

C15: from French déserter, from Late Latin dēsertāre, from Latin dēserere to forsake; see desert1

Word Frequency

desert in British English 3

(dɪˈzɜːt )

noun

1. (often plural)

something that is deserved or merited; just reward or punishment

the state of deserving a reward or punishment

virtue or merit

Word origin

C13: from Old French deserte, from deservir to deserve

Word Frequency

desert in American English 1

(dɪˈzɜrt )

verb transitive

to forsake (someone or something that one ought not to leave); abandon

to leave (one's post, military service, etc.) without permission

to fail (someone) when most needed

verb intransitive

to leave one's post, military duty, etc. without permission and with no intent to return, or, in war, in order to avoid hazardous duty

SIMILAR WORDS: aˈbandon

Derived forms

deserter (deˈserter)

noun

Word origin

Fr déserter < LL desertare < desertus, pp. of L deserere, to desert, lit., to disjoin < de-, from + serere, to join < IE base *ser-, to join, place in a row > Gr eirein, to fasten in rows, L series

Word Frequency

desert in American English 2

(ˈdɛzərt )

noun

an uncultivated region without inhabitants; wilderness

a dry, barren, sandy region, often extremely hot

adjective

of a desert or deserts

wild and uninhabited

a desert island

SIMILAR WORDS: waste

Word origin

ME < OFr < LL(Ec) desertum, a desert, for L deserta < desertus: see desert1

Word Frequency

desert in American English 3

(dɪˈzɜrt )

noun

the fact of deserving reward or punishment

2. [often pl.]

deserved reward or punishment

to get one's just deserts

the quality of deserving reward; merit

Word origin

ME & OFr deserte < deservir: see deserve

Example sentences including
desert

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The banks are getting their just deserts.The area was deserted on the days we visited.The forest had given way to desert.By day and especially by night, the place was deserted. Expect wacky races across the desert in souped-up beach buggies.In short, walking the desert is just walking. Likewise, those that see a deserted beach are usually happy to spend long periods in their own company.The next day I woke to eyeballs that felt like they'd been baking under a desert sun.Three people were missing last night in Australia's western desert region prompting fears that their vehicle had been swept off a track by rising floods.In the desert you can land where you want.