desert
A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.
Noun 3 meanings
A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.
Any barren place or situation.
That which is deserved or merited; a just punishment or reward.
“July 4, 1789, Alexander Hamilton, Eulogium on Major-General Greene His reputation falls far below his desert.”
Adjective 1 meaning
Usually of a place: abandoned, deserted, or uninhabited.
“They were marooned on a desert island in the Pacific.”
Verb 2 meanings
To leave (anything that depends on one's presence to survive, exist, or succeed), especially when contrary to a promise or obligation; to abandon; to forsake.
“You can't just drive off and desert me here, in the middle of nowhere.”
To leave one's duty or post, especially to leave a military or naval unit without permission.
“Anyone found deserting will be punished.”
Etymology
From Middle English desert (“wilderness”), from Old French desert, from Latin dēsertum, past participle of dēserō (“to abandon”). Generally displaced native Old English wēsten. False cognate of Egyptian dšrt.
Similar and opposite words
DESERT at a glance
DESERT has 6 letters and scores 7 points in Scrabble (D 2 + E 1 + S 1 + E 1 + R 1 + T 1) and 7 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #3,551 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with desert
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