desert definition parts of speech

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Dictionary definition of desert

A barren and arid land characterized by a scarcity of water and vegetation. "The cacti and tumbleweeds were the only signs of life in the barren desert landscape."

Detailed meaning of desert

Deserts are often vast expanses of dry, sandy or rocky terrain with harsh climatic conditions, including high temperatures and minimal rainfall. They are typically found in regions with low precipitation and limited access to freshwater sources. Deserts can vary in size and geographical features, ranging from sandy deserts with towering dunes to rocky deserts with rugged landscapes. The lack of water and vegetation in deserts poses significant challenges for both human and animal survival. However, deserts can also be unique ecosystems that support a diverse range of adapted plant and animal species. Some deserts hold cultural and historical significance, while others offer opportunities for adventure, exploration, and scientific research. The desert 's distinct characteristics make it a captivating and challenging environment, commanding both awe and respect from those who encounter it.

Example sentences containing desert

1. The vast Sahara Desert stretches across several countries in Africa. 2. The scorching heat of the desert made it a challenging environment to traverse. 3. The Bedouin people have a deep knowledge of survival in the desert . 4. The desert 's golden sand dunes created a mesmerizing and serene landscape. 5. Explorers braved the harsh conditions of the desert to uncover its hidden treasures. 6. The desert 's starry nights offered breathtaking views of the night sky.

History and etymology of desert

The noun ' desert ' has an etymology rooted in Latin and Old French. It comes from the Old French word 'deserte,' which is derived from the Latin word 'desertum' or 'desertus.' In Latin, 'desertum' signifies a deserted or uninhabited place, while 'desertus' means abandoned or left uncultivated. Therefore, the etymology of ' desert ' conveys the idea of a barren and arid land, often characterized by a scarcity of water and vegetation, where few people or living things can thrive. The word ' desert ' has retained its connection to the concept of an inhospitable and deserted landscape, reflecting its Latin and Old French origins where it was used to describe such challenging and arid environments.

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Further usage examples of desert

1. The mirage shimmered in the distance, teasing travelers in the desert . 2. The desert 's extreme temperature fluctuations can be perilous for those unprepared. 3. The desert flora and fauna have evolved unique adaptations to survive in arid conditions. 4. The desert 's silence enveloped the surroundings, creating a sense of solitude and tranquility. 5. Despite its harshness, the desert holds a certain beauty that captivates and inspires. 6. The Sahara Desert is the world's largest hot desert . 7. Cacti thrive in arid desert environments. 8. Exploring the desert can be an extreme adventure. 9. The Gobi Desert spans across northern China and Mongolia. 10. Desert landscapes often appear desolate and harsh. 11. Oasis towns provide respite in the midst of the desert . 12. Surviving in a desert requires knowledge of water sources. 13. Sand dunes are a common feature in many deserts. 14. Many animals have adapted to life in the desert . 15. The barren desert stretched endlessly before them. 16. The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the driest places on Earth. 17. Nomadic tribes have historically roamed desert regions. 18. Desert flora can be surprisingly resilient. 19. Mirages often deceive travelers in the desert . 20. Extreme temperatures characterize desert climates. 21. The desert 's beauty lies in its stark simplicity. 22. Explorers use GPS to navigate the vast desert terrain. 23. Desertification is a growing concern in many regions. 24. Desert landscapes have a haunting allure. 25. Desert sunsets are a breathtaking sight to behold.

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Conservation and Protection, Ecological Diversity and Sustainability, Geography and Topography

desolation,solitude

aridness,barrenness,desiccation,dryness,dunes,emptiness,parchedness,sand,wasteland,wilderness

Synonyms for desert

Quiz categories containing desert.

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wasteland, oasis, fertile land, jungle

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What part of speech is desert.

Desert can be categorized as an adjective, a noun and a verb .

• 1. desert is a verb, present, 1st person singular of desert (infinitive).
• 2. desert is a verb (infinitive).
• 3. desert is a noun, singular of deserts .
• 4. desert is an adjective.

Inflections

• Infinitive Present Simple Past Past Participle Gerund
• (to) desert   desert   / deserts   deserted   deserted   deserting  
• Infinitive : (to) desert  
• Present : desert   / deserts  
• Simple Past : deserted  
• Gerund : deserting  
• Singular Plural
• desert   deserts  
• Singular: desert  
• Plural: deserts  
• Positive Comparative Superlative
• desert   deserter   desertest  
• Positive : desert  
• Comparative : deserter  
• Superlative : desertest  

What does desert mean?

Examples of desert

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Meaning of desert in English

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• The flatness of the desert was broken only by a few large piles of rocks .
• She gave a hair-raising account of her escape through the desert.
• Living rough in the desert hardened the recruits a lot.
• The terrorists assumed control of the plane and forced it to land in the desert.
• At night , adult scorpions prowl the desert for insects .
• alpine tundra
• marginal land
• the Gobi Desert

desert verb ( RUN AWAY )

• absent without leave
• buy someone out
• call someone up
• conscription
• draft dodger
• re-enlistment

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

desert verb ( LEAVE BEHIND )

• abandon ship
• abandon/jump ship idiom
• abandonment
• absquatulate
• peel away/off
• pull something off
• strike out (somewhere)
• take something off
• turf something out

desert | American Dictionary

Examples of desert, collocations with desert.

These are words often used in combination with desert .

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Translations of desert

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Word of the Day

leave no stone unturned

to do everything you can to achieve a good result, especially when looking for something

A finger in every pie: phrases with the word ‘finger’

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• cultural, intellectual, etc. desert
• desert (RUN AWAY)
• desert (LEAVE BEHIND)
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“Desert” or “Deserted”: What’s the Difference?

By: Author Susan Parker

Posted on Published: February 10, 2022

Some writers incorrectly treat “desert” and “deserted” as exchangeable words. Students learning English can also get confused with the different meanings and uses of the two. So the question arises: what is the difference between “desert” and “deserted”?

You can use “desert” as a noun or verb, while “deserted” is only the past tense and past participle of “desert” or a participial adjective. A “deserted place” is one where everybody has left, while a “desert place” refers to a location where few if any people live or a desolate place, such as an area with an arid climate.

To explain the differences, we’ll examine the meanings of the two words and use sentence examples to indicate how and in what contexts you can use them. We’ll also explain why students sometimes find it difficult to differentiate between “desert” and “deserted.”  

What Do “Desert” and “Deserted” Mean?

To make it easy for students of English to understand the meaning of and the difference between “desert” and “deserted,” especially when we use them adjectivally, teachers often use the “island explanation.” In this explanation, they use “desert” and “deserted” to describe a type of island.

What Does “Desert” Mean Adjectivally?

In the island example, the noun phrase “desert island” means an island that is desolate and not permanently inhabited ( source ). Technically, “desert,” in this case, functions as a noun adjunct, a noun that acts like an adjective ( source ). The noun “desert” modifies the noun “island.”

When we say “desert island,” we generally refer to an island that has characteristics of the desert, such as sparse vegetation and a warm climate.

Interestingly, although all dictionaries list “desert” as a noun, they are inconsistent in listing it as an adjective. Thus, it’s safer to say that it’s a noun adjunct that implies the attributes of a desert to the noun that it qualifies. 

What Does “Deserted” Mean Adjectivally?

In this island example, a “deserted island” means an island that once was populated or inhabited but whose inhabitants left or deserted it.

In both instances, the islands are empty now, but the reasons why they are empty are different. To get more information regarding this “Island comparison,” read “ Should We Say ‘Desert Island’ or ‘Deserted Island’? ”

How Do You Use “Desert” and “Deserted”?

To make the differentiation between “desert” and “deserted” easier, let’s look at the basic usages of these two words. We will discuss the usage and possible meanings of the two words as nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Remember that you can never use “deserted” as a noun. So, when you need one of the two words to act as a noun, it can only be “desert.”

When Can You Use “Desert” as a Noun?

You can use “desert” in many ways as a noun. Let’s discuss a few possibilities.

The noun desert means “wasteland,” “wilderness,” “barren area,” “a place where nobody has ever lived,” or “a place where you think it is not possible or worthwhile to live.” The most common use of “desert” as a noun refers to a large area, often in hot regions, with almost no water, trees, or plants as a desert.

The noun can also function in reference to a geographical area, such as the “Sahara Desert.”

In What Context Can You Use “Desert?”

You can also use “desert” as a metaphor to describe a place or situation that is desolate or lonely. You could, for instance, refer to a high-rise apartment building in the center of town as a building sitting in a desert of concrete. 

Using “Desert” in a Full Sentence

Consider the sentences below, which show various contexts where you can use “desert” as a noun.

• A desert is a place with very low rainfall.
• The Sahara Desert is one of the driest places on the globe.
• She felt lost in a desert of loneliness.

When Can You Use “Deserted” and “Desert” as  Verbs?

The verb “desert” means to abandon something or somebody. Let’s consider it in the 12 basic tenses.

As you can see, we use either “desert” or “deserted,” depending on the tense.

In What Context Can You Use “Desert” as a Verb?

As a verb, “desert” can refer to various “abandoning actions,” including the following.

Using “Desert” and “Deserted” in Full Sentences

Consider the sentences below, which show various contexts where you can use “desert” and “deserted” as verbs.

• After the rebellion, his troops deserted him, and he lost all further battles.
• We can’t understand why she has to go away and desert a comfortable life.
• Strange sounds came from the old house that had been deserted .

When Can You Use ”Deserted” and “Desert” as Adjectives?

As adjectives , “desert” and “deserted” have different meanings. We’ll discuss a few contexts.

Using “Desert” as an Adjective

While it’s technically a noun adjunct, you can use “desert” adjectivally to describe various situations, including the following:

Using “Deserted” as a Participial Adjective

Grammarians refer to “deserted” as a participial adjective because it follows the same form as the participle. As an adjective, “deserted” always describes something empty and/or abandoned, as shown in the examples below ( source ).

Using “Deserted” in Full Sentences

Let’s now look at full sentences that show the use of “desert” and “deserted” functioning as adjectives.

The strange sounds came from the deserted old house. 

It was light enough to see a long way in the deserted street at night.

She enjoyed walking in the deserted area next to the river when the sun was setting.

After the tsunami, many neighborhoods that had housed hundreds of people were deserted .

The expedition members want to determine whether someone can live on this desert island.

The desert town is now deserted .

What Can You Use Instead of “Desert” or “Deserted?”

To prevent confusion, it is sometimes better to use a synonym instead of “desert” or “deserted” when you want to describe something specifically. We list some of the most common synonyms for your convenience ( source ).

• Uninhabited

When Not to Use “Desert” or “Deserted?”

The most obvious place not to use “desert” is when you should rather use “dessert.” Although we may pronounce these two words the same, they have nothing in common regarding their meaning.

A dessert is the last course of a meal and is often sweet, like a cake. The word “dessert” also came from French, like “desert,” but from a totally different word. It came from the French word “ desservir ,” which means “to clear the table” ( source ).

The word emerged because a host would bring out the dessert after removing the dinner dishes.

Students sometimes ask whether it is grammatically correct to say “the community reached out to the deserted by assisting with temporary housing.” Here “deserted” functions as a noun, which is not grammatically correct. The word “deserted” requires a subject. 

However, we could rewrite this as “the community reached out to the deserted children by assisting with temporary housing. “Deserted” has to describe a noun and is not a noun in itself. 

The Challenge of Distinguishing “Desert” and “Deserted”

It is challenging to differentiate between “desert” and “deserted” because, although they each have distinctive meanings and uses, they are so closely related.

Shared Etymological Roots

They share etymological roots from the Latin word “ desertus ,” which means “deserted” or “abandoned” ( source ).

“ Desertus ” comes from “ de ,” meaning “not,” plus “ serere ,” meaning “to join.” Thus, both “desert” and “deserted” originally referred to a place “disconnected” from the population. They entered the English language in the 1200s. The verb “to desert,” meaning “to abandon,” didn’t enter English until about 400 years later ( source ).

Distinguishing Parts of Speech: Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives

As you will have seen, the most important part of deciding whether to use “desert” or “deserted” is to know what part of speech you are using. As soon as you understand the role of the various parts of speech, it’s easier to know which word to use.

In the case of “desert” vs. “deserted,” it is clear that if we are naming something, then we use the noun “desert.” 

On the other hand, if we are using the verb “to desert,” then our choice will depend on what tense we are using; we would choose “desert” for the present tense and “deserted” for the past tense or as a past participle.

When it comes to adjectives, it’s slightly more complicated. Insofar as an adjective modifies a noun, then both “desert” and “deserted” play this role but each of them in a slightly different way. 

As a noun adjunct, “desert” functions adjectivally to describe the noun it precedes. “Deserted” is a participle adjective, meaning it takes the same form as an adjective and a participle. 

It should now be easier to work out whether we are using “desert” as a noun or verb or whether we are using it adjectivally. This will help us to understand context too. This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.

Many other words in English can function as all these parts of speech, such as “clean,” “light,” or “free,” so it’s essential to understand what role the word you are choosing plays in your sentence.

Final Thoughts

Because of the different uses, contexts, and nuances of “desert” and “deserted,” the two words often confuse English language students. Although “desert” and “deserted” came from similar roots, the two words have adopted specific meanings over time. 

Both “desert” and “deserted” refer to emptiness in some way, but it’s essential to understand what role they’re playing in the sentence as well as the context of the sentence itself so that we can be clearer on what specific meaning we should take. 

If you are not sure whether to use “desert” or “deserted,” it’s often best to use a synonym to convey your message with clarity.

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Definition of desert noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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A part of speech (also called a word class ) is a category that describes the role a word plays in a sentence. Understanding the different parts of speech can help you analyze how words function in a sentence and improve your writing.

The parts of speech are classified differently in different grammars, but most traditional grammars list eight parts of speech in English: nouns , pronouns , verbs , adjectives , adverbs , prepositions , conjunctions , and interjections . Some modern grammars add others, such as determiners and articles .

Many words can function as different parts of speech depending on how they are used. For example, “laugh” can be a noun (e.g., “I like your laugh”) or a verb (e.g., “don’t laugh”).

You can check whether you’re using each of the parts of speech correctly using our grammar checker .

Table of contents

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions
• Interjections

Other parts of speech

Interesting language articles, frequently asked questions.

A noun is a word that refers to a person, concept, place, or thing. Nouns can act as the subject of a sentence (i.e., the person or thing performing the action) or as the object of a verb (i.e., the person or thing affected by the action).

There are numerous types of nouns, including common nouns (used to refer to nonspecific people, concepts, places, or things), proper nouns (used to refer to specific people, concepts, places, or things), and collective nouns (used to refer to a group of people or things).

Ella lives in France .

Other types of nouns include countable and uncountable nouns , concrete nouns , abstract nouns , and gerunds .

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A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun. Pronouns typically refer back to an antecedent (a previously mentioned noun) and must demonstrate correct pronoun-antecedent agreement . Like nouns, pronouns can refer to people, places, concepts, and things.

There are numerous types of pronouns, including personal pronouns (used in place of the proper name of a person), demonstrative pronouns (used to refer to specific things and indicate their relative position), and interrogative pronouns (used to introduce questions about things, people, and ownership).

That is a horrible painting!

A verb is a word that describes an action (e.g., “jump”), occurrence (e.g., “become”), or state of being (e.g., “exist”). Verbs indicate what the subject of a sentence is doing. Every complete sentence must contain at least one verb.

Verbs can change form depending on subject (e.g., first person singular), tense (e.g., simple past), mood (e.g., interrogative), and voice (e.g., passive voice ).

Regular verbs are verbs whose simple past and past participle are formed by adding“-ed” to the end of the word (or “-d” if the word already ends in “e”). Irregular verbs are verbs whose simple past and past participles are formed in some other way.

“I’ve already checked twice.”

“I heard that you used to sing .”

Other types of verbs include auxiliary verbs , linking verbs , modal verbs , and phrasal verbs .

An adjective is a word that describes a noun or pronoun. Adjectives can be attributive , appearing before a noun (e.g., “a red hat”), or predicative , appearing after a noun with the use of a linking verb like “to be” (e.g., “the hat is red ”).

Adjectives can also have a comparative function. Comparative adjectives compare two or more things. Superlative adjectives describe something as having the most or least of a specific characteristic.

Other types of adjectives include coordinate adjectives , participial adjectives , and denominal adjectives .

An adverb is a word that can modify a verb, adjective, adverb, or sentence. Adverbs are often formed by adding “-ly” to the end of an adjective (e.g., “slow” becomes “slowly”), although not all adverbs have this ending, and not all words with this ending are adverbs.

There are numerous types of adverbs, including adverbs of manner (used to describe how something occurs), adverbs of degree (used to indicate extent or degree), and adverbs of place (used to describe the location of an action or event).

Talia writes quite quickly.

Other types of adverbs include adverbs of frequency , adverbs of purpose , focusing adverbs , and adverbial phrases .

A preposition is a word (e.g., “at”) or phrase (e.g., “on top of”) used to show the relationship between the different parts of a sentence. Prepositions can be used to indicate aspects such as time , place , and direction .

I left the cup on the kitchen counter.

A conjunction is a word used to connect different parts of a sentence (e.g., words, phrases, or clauses).

The main types of conjunctions are coordinating conjunctions (used to connect items that are grammatically equal), subordinating conjunctions (used to introduce a dependent clause), and correlative conjunctions (used in pairs to join grammatically equal parts of a sentence).

You can choose what movie we watch because I chose the last time.

An interjection is a word or phrase used to express a feeling, give a command, or greet someone. Interjections are a grammatically independent part of speech, so they can often be excluded from a sentence without affecting the meaning.

Types of interjections include volitive interjections (used to make a demand or request), emotive interjections (used to express a feeling or reaction), cognitive interjections (used to indicate thoughts), and greetings and parting words (used at the beginning and end of a conversation).

Ouch ! I hurt my arm.

I’m, um , not sure.

The traditional classification of English words into eight parts of speech is by no means the only one or the objective truth. Grammarians have often divided them into more or fewer classes. Other commonly mentioned parts of speech include determiners and articles.

• Determiners

A determiner is a word that describes a noun by indicating quantity, possession, or relative position.

Common types of determiners include demonstrative determiners (used to indicate the relative position of a noun), possessive determiners (used to describe ownership), and quantifiers (used to indicate the quantity of a noun).

My brother is selling his old car.

Other types of determiners include distributive determiners , determiners of difference , and numbers .

An article is a word that modifies a noun by indicating whether it is specific or general.

• The definite article the is used to refer to a specific version of a noun. The can be used with all countable and uncountable nouns (e.g., “the door,” “the energy,” “the mountains”).
• The indefinite articles a and an refer to general or unspecific nouns. The indefinite articles can only be used with singular countable nouns (e.g., “a poster,” “an engine”).

There’s a concert this weekend.

If you want to know more about nouns , pronouns , verbs , and other parts of speech, make sure to check out some of our language articles with explanations and examples.

Nouns & pronouns

• Common nouns
• Proper nouns
• Collective nouns
• Personal pronouns
• Uncountable and countable nouns
• Verb tenses
• Phrasal verbs
• Types of verbs
• Active vs passive voice
• Subject-verb agreement

A is an indefinite article (along with an ). While articles can be classed as their own part of speech, they’re also considered a type of determiner .

The indefinite articles are used to introduce nonspecific countable nouns (e.g., “a dog,” “an island”).

In is primarily classed as a preposition, but it can be classed as various other parts of speech, depending on how it is used:

• Preposition (e.g., “ in the field”)
• Noun (e.g., “I have an in with that company”)
• Adjective (e.g., “Tim is part of the in crowd”)
• Adverb (e.g., “Will you be in this evening?”)

As a part of speech, and is classed as a conjunction . Specifically, it’s a coordinating conjunction .

And can be used to connect grammatically equal parts of a sentence, such as two nouns (e.g., “a cup and plate”), or two adjectives (e.g., “strong and smart”). And can also be used to connect phrases and clauses.

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Desert vs dessert

Posted by Terms compared staff | Sep 18, 2021 | Language |

Reserved-looking businessmen were seated together for dinner. The environmentalist remarked that the Earth would soon become a desert if freshwater resources weren’t conserved. Amoral businessmen sitting next to him complained that such a topic was ruining their mood for dessert.

Desert and dessert are two of the trickiest homophones you will come across. Even though they differ only by a single letter ‘s’ they mean completely different hence placing them in each other’s place by mistake will make your sentences completely incorrect. The most common meaning of desert is a noun that refers to a place that has an excessively dry terrain with extremely scarce greenery. As a verb it means to abandon. Desert also has a very rare and peculiar usage where it refers to something that someone deserves. Simultaneously, its other homophone ‘dessert’ is used as a noun and refers to a sweet dish that is served after the main course. If you want to learn these words in depth read the following article. There’s a helpful tip at the end of the article to memorize each word’s meaning easily.

Desert vs dessert – definitions, uses, and example sentences

Definition of desert.

‘Desert’ is pronounced as either ‘dez-urt’, if used as a noun, or ‘diz-zurt’, if used as a verb. The word ‘desert’ can serve in the capacity of multiple parts of speech, each with multiple meanings. This diversity in use and meaning can be attributed to this word’s origin. ‘Desert’ is derived from the Latin ‘desertum’, meaning ‘an abandoned location’.

As a noun, a desert can be defined as a geographical region characterized by an arid atmosphere, low rainfall, and barren, sandy terrain. Derivatively, an abandoned or desolate location or circumstance can figuratively be called a ‘desert’. Exceptionally, ‘desert’ can also refer to something that is deserved, either as a punition or prize. For instance, a hero’s victory or a villain’s tragic death can be their respective ‘deserts’. As a verb, ‘to desert’ means to abandon someone or something, or to leave one’s duty or post in a military context. Similarly, an abandoned or evacuated place can be qualified as a ‘desert’ place, with the desert being used as an adjective.

Synonyms of this word include ‘abandon’ in the verb form and ‘desolate’ in the adjective form.

Example sentences of desert

• As a rough estimate, about one-third of the entire landmass of the Earth is desert.

In the first sentence, ‘desert’ is used as a noun in the sense of a geographical region with specific features of dry terrain and scanty vegetation.

• The concept of karma dictates that people will always get their just deserts ultimately, with or without delay.

Here, ‘desert’ is used as a noun in the sense of something that is merited or deserved by someone based on what they did. It is an archetype of the Hindi word ‘karma’.

• As the army faced inevitable defeat at the hands of the aggressor, many of the troops were forced to lay down their weapons and desert their posts.

In the final sentence, the word ‘desert’ is used as a verb to refer to the leaving or abandoning of one’s duty and post in a military context.

Definition of dessert

‘Dessert’ is pronounced ‘diz-zurt’; the same way the verb form of ‘desert’ is pronounced. It is a noun and the meaning of this word is closely related to its linguistic ancestry. ‘Dessert’ can be traced back to the French verb ‘ desservir’ , meaning ‘to empty or clear the table’. A ‘dessert’ is a course of a meal which is usually sweet and is served after the main meal has been consumed and the table has been cleared. Traditionally, desserts consist of confectionaries, baked goods, and fruits but vary across cultures. Most desserts, however, are generally sweet. Synonyms of the word ‘dessert’ include ‘afters’ and ‘sweet’.

Example sentences of dessert

• According to some people, ice cream and flavored yogurt are one of the most ancient and globally popular desserts of all time.

In the first sentence, traditionally milk-based sweet foods such as ice cream and yoghurt are characterized as one of the most widely eaten desserts. This is because they are enjoyed after a meal as a cheap delicacy.

• Despite being a chronic diabetic, my father can never sit up from the dining table without having his dessert.

Here, the phrase ‘his dessert’ signifies that for some people, only certain items constitute ‘dessert’ based on their taste and tradition. The sentence elaborates how the speaker’s father never leaves the table without having the dessert of his choice even though he has severe diabetes. Obviously, the speaker’s father is careless about his health and we do not recommend such actions to anyone.

• Some scientists claim that having a few squares of dark chocolate for dessert is actually beneficial for digestion and overall health.

In the last sentence, based on some facts, dark chocolate is referred to as a healthy dessert by some scientists.

In conclusion, ‘deserts’ have to do with geography and ‘desserts’ refer to sweets. The verb form of ‘desert’ is a homophone of ‘dessert’, whereas the noun form of the former is pronounced differently. ‘Desert’ can act as a noun, verb, and adjective depending on the context whereas ‘dessert’ can only be used as a noun. Remember the single ‘s’ of ‘desert’ for ‘sandy’ as deserts are sandy. Remember the double ‘ss’ of ‘dessert’ for ‘sweet stuff’.

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| | | | | | | My Wordlists Legacy activities Advanced Dictionary         Wordsmyth     Lookup History (often pl.) that which one deserves, esp. something unpleasant. , , , , , Subscribe for ad-free Wordsmyth and more English Grammar Parts of Speech Parts of Speech - Definition, 8 Types and Examples In the English language , every word is called a part of speech. The role a word plays in a sentence denotes what part of speech it belongs to. Explore the definition of parts of speech, the different parts of speech and examples in this article. Table of Contents Parts of speech definition, different parts of speech with examples. Sentences Examples for the 8 Parts of Speech A Small Exercise to Check Your Understanding of Parts of Speech Frequently asked questions on parts of speech, what is a part of speech. Parts of speech are among the first grammar topics we learn when we are in school or when we start our English language learning process. Parts of speech can be defined as words that perform different roles in a sentence. Some parts of speech can perform the functions of other parts of speech too. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines parts of speech as “one of the classes into which words are divided according to their grammar, such as noun, verb, adjective, etc.” The Cambridge Dictionary also gives a similar definition – “One of the grammatical groups into which words are divided, such as noun, verb, and adjective”. Parts of speech include nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections. 8 Parts of Speech Definitions and Examples: 1. Nouns are words that are used to name people, places, animals, ideas and things. Nouns can be classified into two main categories: Common nouns and Proper nouns . Common nouns are generic like ball, car, stick, etc., and proper nouns are more specific like Charles, The White House, The Sun, etc. Examples of nouns used in sentences: She bought a pair of shoes . (thing) I have a pet. (animal) Is this your book ? (object) Many people have a fear of darkness . (ideas/abstract nouns) He is my brother . (person) This is my school . (place) Also, explore Singular Nouns and Plural Nouns . 2. Pronouns are words that are used to substitute a noun in a sentence. There are different types of pronouns. Some of them are reflexive pronouns, possessive pronouns , relative pronouns and indefinite pronouns . I, he, she, it, them, his, yours, anyone, nobody, who, etc., are some of the pronouns. Examples of pronouns used in sentences: I reached home at six in the evening. (1st person singular pronoun) Did someone see a red bag on the counter? (Indefinite pronoun) Is this the boy who won the first prize? (Relative pronoun) That is my mom. (Possessive pronoun) I hurt myself yesterday when we were playing cricket. (Reflexive pronoun) 3. Verbs are words that denote an action that is being performed by the noun or the subject in a sentence. They are also called action words. Some examples of verbs are read, sit, run, pick, garnish, come, pitch, etc. Examples of verbs used in sentences: She plays cricket every day. Darshana and Arul are going to the movies. My friends visited me last week. Did you have your breakfast? My name is Meenakshi Kishore. 4. Adverbs are words that are used to provide more information about verbs, adjectives and other adverbs used in a sentence. There are five main types of adverbs namely, adverbs of manner , adverbs of degree , adverbs of frequency , adverbs of time and adverbs of place . Some examples of adverbs are today, quickly, randomly, early, 10 a.m. etc. Examples of adverbs used in sentences: Did you come here to buy an umbrella? (Adverb of place) I did not go to school yesterday as I was sick. (Adverb of time) Savio reads the newspaper everyday . (Adverb of frequency) Can you please come quickly ? (Adverb of manner) Tony was so sleepy that he could hardly keep his eyes open during the meeting. (Adverb of degree) 5. Adjectives are words that are used to describe or provide more information about the noun or the subject in a sentence. Some examples of adjectives include good, ugly, quick, beautiful, late, etc. Examples of adjectives used in sentences: The place we visited yesterday was serene . Did you see how big that dog was? The weather is pleasant today. The red dress you wore on your birthday was lovely. My brother had only one chapati for breakfast. 6. Prepositions are words that are used to link one part of the sentence to another. Prepositions show the position of the object or subject in a sentence. Some examples of prepositions are in, out, besides, in front of, below, opposite, etc. Examples of prepositions used in sentences: The teacher asked the students to draw lines on the paper so that they could write in straight lines. The child hid his birthday presents under his bed. Mom asked me to go to the store near my school. The thieves jumped over the wall and escaped before we could reach home. 7. Conjunctions are a part of speech that is used to connect two different parts of a sentence, phrases and clauses . Some examples of conjunctions are and, or, for, yet, although, because, not only, etc. Examples of conjunctions used in sentences: Meera and Jasmine had come to my birthday party. Jane did not go to work as she was sick. Unless you work hard, you cannot score good marks. I have not finished my project,  yet I went out with my friends. 8. Interjections are words that are used to convey strong emotions or feelings. Some examples of interjections are oh, wow, alas, yippee, etc. It is always followed by an exclamation mark. Examples of interjections used in sentences: Wow ! What a wonderful work of art. Alas ! That is really sad. Yippee ! We won the match. Sentence Examples for the 8 Parts of Speech Noun – Tom lives in New York . Pronoun – Did she find the book she was looking for? Verb – I reached home. Adverb – The tea is too hot. Adjective – The movie was amazing . Preposition – The candle was kept under the table. Conjunction – I was at home all day, but I am feeling very tired. Interjection – Oh ! I forgot to turn off the stove. Let us find out if you have understood the different parts of speech and their functions. Try identifying which part of speech the highlighted words belong to. My brother came home  late . I am a good girl. This is the book I  was looking for. Whoa ! This is amazing . The climate  in  Kodaikanal is very pleasant. Can you please pick up Dan and me on  your way home? Now, let us see if you got it right. Check your answers. My – Pronoun, Home – Noun, Late – Adverb Am – Verb, Good – Adjective I – Pronoun, Was looking – Verb Whoa – Interjection, Amazing – Adjective Climate – Noun, In – Preposition, Kodaikanal – Noun, Very – Adverb And – Conjunction, On – Preposition, Your – Pronoun What are parts of speech? The term ‘parts of speech’ refers to words that perform different functions in a sentence  in order to give the sentence a proper meaning and structure. How many parts of speech are there? There are 8 parts of speech in total. What are the 8 parts of speech? Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections are the 8 parts of speech. ENGLISH Related Links Leave a Comment Cancel reply Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked * Request OTP on Voice Call Post My Comment Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs Register with byju's & watch live videos. 183 IMAGES Life in the Desert Parts of Speech Worksheet Abandon to leave behind or desert Definition: Parts of Speech: Mystery Pictures Desert Forms and Figures of Speech in "Desert Places" What is the difference between 'desert' and 'dessert'? Abandon to leave behind or desert Definition: Parts of Speech: VIDEO 10 Lines on Desert in English Dessert vs. Desert (Pronunciation) Adjective || Definition || Parts of speech || English Literature Dessert OR Desert? English Vocabulary #shorts Antarctica Is A Desert? 🇦🇶 Which is the World's Largest Desert? 🏜️ COMMENTS Definition of DESERT part of speech: noun. definition 1: a very dry, often sandy area with little or no plant growth. The Sahara Desert is a hot, sandy desert, whereas the Gobi Desert is cold and rocky. similar words: barrens, dust bowl, waste, wasteland. definition 2: any barren place with little natural life; wasteland. desert Definition of desert. Best online English dictionaries for children, with kid-friendly definitions, integrated thesaurus for kids, images, and animations. ... part of speech: verb: inflections: deserts, deserting, deserted: definition: to leave someone or something behind when you have a duty to stay. Definition of DESERT intransitive verb. definition: to abandon or forsake one's military post, duties, or obligations (sometimes fol. by "from"). In any war, there are always soldiers who desert. The soldiers deserted from their position amid the heavy shelling. similar words: abscond, bolt, decamp, defect, flee, run, withdraw. desert Definition of desert. Best online English dictionaries for children, with kid-friendly definitions, integrated thesaurus for kids, images, and animations. ... part of speech: noun: definition: a very dry region with few plants growing in it. Most of North Africa is desert. similar words: waste: Word Explorer. Desert Definition & Meaning The meaning of DESERT is arid land with usually sparse vegetation; especially : such land having a very warm climate and receiving less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of sporadic rainfall annually. How to use desert in a sentence. Where does the phrase just deserts come from? Synonym Discussion of Desert. Desert A desert is a very dry area of land where few plants and animals can live. If you find yourself stranded in the middle of the desert, you'll have no company except for the occasional lizard or scorpion. desert Definition of desert. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels. ... part of speech: noun: definition: (often pl.) that which one deserves, esp. something unpleasant. When she lost her job, she got her just deserts. synonyms: due, wages Desert History and etymology of desert. The noun 'desert' has an etymology rooted in Latin and Old French. It comes from the Old French word 'deserte,' which is derived from the Latin word 'desertum' or 'desertus.'. In Latin, 'desertum' signifies a deserted or uninhabited place, while 'desertus' means abandoned or left uncultivated. What part of speech is desert? Find the part of speech for desert with our online and free part of speech detector and inflector. Encyclopedias. Dictionary ... Scrabble Words with friends Wordfeud Apalabrados Letterpress Wordle Wordscapes Words of Wonders Spelling Bee Crossword Definitions Thesaurus Proverbs Abbreviations Verb conjugator Sentences Quotes Syllables Parts of ... DESERT DESERT definition: 1. an area, often covered with sand or rocks, where there is very little rain and not many plants…. Learn more. desert noun Definition of desert noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... The desert stretched for endless miles on all sides of us. The land loses its protective cover of vegetation and soon turns into desert. desert The meaning of desert. Definition of desert. Best online English dictionaries for children, with kid-friendly definitions, integrated thesaurus for kids, images, and animations. ... part of speech: verb: inflections: deserts, deserting, deserted: definition: to leave behind even though it is one's duty to stay; abandon. desert Definition of desert. Best online English dictionaries for children, with kid-friendly definitions, integrated thesaurus for kids, images, and animations. Spanish and Chinese language support available ... part of speech: intransitive verb: definition: to abandon or forsake one's military post, duties, or obligations (sometimes fol. by "from"). ... DESERT Definition & Meaning Desert definition: a region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all. See examples of DESERT used in a sentence. Desert vs. Dessert: Simple Tips to Remember the Difference The letter "s" can make a world of difference in desert vs. dessert. But what is that difference? Learn the right way to use these similarly spelled words. ... desert is the only one that you can use as multiple parts of speech. It can be a noun, verb or adjective. Depending on the context, it can mean very different things and is even ... "Desert" vs. "Dessert": How to Choose the Right Word The words desert and dessert may sound similar, but their meanings are distinct. A desert is a barren area of land with little rainfall, while dessert refers to a sweet course typically eaten at the end of a meal. When to use desert vs. dessert depends on the context of your sentence. For example, "The Sahara is a vast desert" and "I had ... "Desert" or "Deserted": What's the Difference? The noun desert means "wasteland," "wilderness," "barren area," "a place where nobody has ever lived," or "a place where you think it is not possible or worthwhile to live.". The most common use of "desert" as a noun refers to a large area, often in hot regions, with almost no water, trees, or plants as a desert. Parts of speech When a preposition is used in front of a noun, the two together do the work of an adverb. He is coming now.He is coming in the morning.. I found him there.I found him near the gates.. A conjunction joins two or more nouns or clauses to each other.Conjunctions are sometimes called 'joining words'. desert noun Definition of desert noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... work together and produce more natural-sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary app. 2 ... The 8 Parts of Speech A part of speech (also called a word class) is a category that describes the role a word plays in a sentence.Understanding the different parts of speech can help you analyze how words function in a sentence and improve your writing. The parts of speech are classified differently in different grammars, but most traditional grammars list eight parts of speech in English: nouns, pronouns, verbs ... Desert vs dessert Definition of desert 'Desert' is pronounced as either 'dez-urt', if used as a noun, or 'diz-zurt', if used as a verb. The word 'desert' can serve in the capacity of multiple parts of speech, each with multiple meanings. This diversity in use and meaning can be attributed to this word's origin. 'Desert' is derived from the ... desert The meaning of desert. Definition of desert. Best online English dictionaries for children, with kid-friendly definitions, integrated thesaurus for kids, images, and animations. ... part of speech: noun: definition: (often pl.) that which one deserves, esp. something unpleasant. When she lost her job, she got her just deserts. synonyms: due, wages Parts of Speech 8 Parts of Speech Definitions and Examples: 1. Nouns are words that are used to name people, places, animals, ideas and things. Nouns can be classified into two main categories: Common nouns and Proper nouns. Common nouns are generic like ball, car, stick, etc., and proper nouns are more specific like Charles, The White House, The Sun, etc. essay homework paper phd project resume review study thesis