desert2

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdɛzət/

noun

  • a waterless, desolate area of land with little or no vegetation, typically one covered with sand: the desert of the Sinai peninsula is a harsh place [mass noun]: drought and deforestation are turning fragile grasslands into desert
  • a situation or place considered dull and uninteresting: a cultural desert

adjective

[attributive]
  • like a desert: overgrazing has created desert conditions
  • uninhabited and desolate: desert wastes

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from late Latin desertum 'something left waste', neuter past participle of deserere 'leave, forsake'

Do not confuse desert with dessert. Desert means 'a waterless, empty area' ( the Sahara Desert) or 'leave someone or something' ( he deserted her for another woman), whereas dessert means 'the sweet course of a meal' ( an ice cream dessert).