“An undulating road in the sandy desert. The sign reminds drivers to obey the speed limit.”
Desert or Dessert?
Remember:
- Desert – A dry, barren area of land.
- Dessert – The sweet course eaten at the end of a meal (cake, pie, pudding, ice-cream etc.)
The full definition for a desert is a dry, barren area of land, especially one covered with sand, that is usually desolate, without water, and without vegetation.
The largest deserts in the world are:
- Antarctica Desert
- Arctic Desert
- Sahara Desert (Africa)
- Australian Desert
- Arabian Desert (West Asia)
- Gobi Desert (East Asia)
- Kalahari Desert (Africa)
Related Desert Vocabulary:
- Arid (adjective) – lacking sufficient moisture to support plant life.
- Cacti (noun) – a succulent desert plant with spines or thorns.
- Dune (noun) – a hill of sand formed by the wind.
- Glimmer (verb) – a faint, intermittent light or sparkle.
- Loneliness (noun) – feeling of isolation or abandonment.
- Mirage (noun) – a false image caused by atmospheric conditions.
- Nomad (noun) – a member of an ethnic group who moves constantly.
- Oasis (noun) – a fertile spot in a desert, sometimes with a spring.
- Palm (noun) – a tree with fan-shaped foliage or branches.
- Vastness (noun) – the quality of being very large or extensive.
- Wasteland (noun) – a barren or desolate area
In the News
Spotted in the news‘Live it to understand’: Taking on the Dakhla desert challengealjazeera.comFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between “desert” and “dessert”?
A desert is a dry, sandy area of land. A dessert (double s) is the sweet course at the end of a meal.
What is the largest desert in the world?
Antarctica – deserts are defined by very low rainfall, not heat.
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