Meaning & Definition of Desert in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: A dry, barren area of land, especially one covered with sand and in which little or no vegetation grows.

  Example Sentence: The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world.

• Definition: To abandon a person, cause, or organization.

  Example Sentence: He decided to desert his post during the crisis.

• Definition: The state of being deserted.

  Example Sentence: The once bustling town fell into a state of desert.

• Definition: Desert as a verb means to leave someone or something behind.

  Example Sentence: They felt betrayed when he chose to desert them in their time of need.

• Definition: An arid region that receives less than 250 mm of rainfall annually.

  Example Sentence: Life in the desert can be extremely challenging.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English deserte, from Old French desert, from Latin desertus (abandoned).

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• desert island: A hypothetical isolated location where one is completely cut off from civilization.
• to desert someone: To abandon or leave a person, often in a time of need.
• desert rights: Legal entitlements pertaining to land in arid regions.

Translations

• Spanish: desierto

• French: désert

• German: Wüste

• Russian: пустыня

Related Words

• abandon: To leave someone behind, especially in a difficult situation.

• wilderness: An uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region.

• oasis: A fertile spot in a desert where water is found.

Slang Meanings of desert

• Meaning: To leave without saying goodbye.

  Example Sentence: He just pulled a desert and left the party early.

• Meaning: To abandon something suddenly.

  Example Sentence: She deserted the project halfway through.