easy
A desert receives very little rain.
What does Desert mean?
Desert is very dry land with little rain.
Dictionary definition
A very dry land area with little rain.
Example sentences
Desert in a sentence
medium
Some desert animals are active at night.
hard
The article explained how plants survive in a desert climate.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice desert in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Commonly confused words
Desert or dessert?
Compare the meanings, then choose a word for each new sentence.
Desert
A very dry region; as a verb, to abandon.
In a sentence Some cacti grow in the desert.
Dessert
A sweet course often served after the main meal.
In a sentence We had fruit for dessert.
Spot the difference Desert can name a dry region or mean abandon. Dessert is a sweet course of food.
Which word fits?
Choose desert or dessert for each blank. Say your answer, then check why it fits.
1The camel crossed the sandy ___.
Check answer 1
desert — The sentence names a dry region.
2After dinner, we shared a pudding for ___.
Check answer 2
dessert — The sentence names the sweet course.
Make it your ownTry the word in a sentence about your day.
Write a sentence with desertQuick practice
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Practice the meaning of Desert
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does desert mean?
Desert means Desert is very dry land with little rain.
Practice 2
Which choice is closest in meaning to desert?
The choice "arid land" is closest in meaning because desert means very dry land with little rain.
Practice 3
Which choice is the best antonym or contrast for desert?
The choice "rainforest" is a strong contrast because desert means very dry land with little rain.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Desert
Voice settings
Sounds like
dez · ert · strongest beat: dez
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordDesert.
Partnoun.
MeaningDesert is very dry land with little rain.
ExampleExample: A desert receives very little rain.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- dez · ert
- Strongest beat
- dez
- Ending
- ert
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on dez.
Your turn
Say Desert
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Nice work—you practiced desert.
Synonyms
Words like Desert
arid landVery dry land.
dry regionA place with little rain.
wastelandA barren or empty area, in some contexts.
Antonyms
Opposite words
rainforestA wet forest with heavy rainfall.
wetlandLand covered or soaked with water.
Synonym practice
Want to practice desert synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The desert was hot and dry," then compare close word choices. Practice desert synonyms.
Word family
Desert word family
Base word
desert
noun
desert
Base form of desert.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Desert
Hint for students
A desert is a very dry place with little rain. It may be hot or cold.
Common mix-up
Desert is not the same as dessert. A desert is a dry place; dessert is a sweet food after a meal.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows desert without using the word desert. Model sentence: The dry land had sand, cactus plants, and very little rain. Clue words: dry land, sand, cactus plants, little rain Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show a dry place, not a sweet food?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: 'The cactus survived in the hot desert.' Why does desert fit better than dessert?
Learning activities
Practice Desert and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice DESERT” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice DESERT
Sentence Builder
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