- desert
- ♦♦♦deserts, deserting, deserted(The noun is pronounced [[t]de̱zə(r)t[/t]]. The pronunciation [[t]dɪzɜ͟ː(r)t[/t]] is used for the verb and for meaning 8.)1) N-VAR: oft in names after n A desert is a large area of land, usually in a hot region, where there is almost no water, rain, trees, or plants.
...the Sahara Desert.
...the burning desert sun...
The vehicles have been modified to suit conditions in the desert.
2) N-COUNT: with supp (disapproval) If you refer to a place or situation as a desert, you think it is bad for people because it is not interesting, exciting, or useful in any way.They live in 12 high-rise apartment buildings that sit in a desert of concrete...
Pubs are a cultural desert.
3) VERB If people or animals desert a place, they leave it and it becomes empty.[V n] Poor farmers are deserting their parched farm fields and coming here looking for jobs...
[V n] After the show, the audience deserts the Blackpool streets.
Derived words:deserted ADJ-GRADEDThey went off to swim in the pool, which was now deserted...
She led them into a deserted sidestreet.
4) VERB If someone deserts you, they go away and leave you, and no longer help or support you.[V n] Mrs Roding's husband deserted her years ago...
[V n] He has been deserted by most of his advisers.
Derived words:desertion [[t]dɪzɜ͟ː(r)ʃ(ə)n[/t]] plural N-VARIt was a long time since she'd referred to her father's desertion.
5) VERB If you desert something that you support, use, or are involved with, you stop supporting it, using it, or being involved with it.The paper's new price rise, putting it up to 27p, will encourage readers to desert in even greater droves...
[V n] He was pained to see many youngsters deserting kibbutz life...
[V n for n] Spaniards are worried about German investors deserting Spain for Eastern Europe.
Derived words:desertion N-VARThey blamed his proposal for much of the mass desertion by the Socialist electorate.
...possible further desertions from the party at its conference.
6) VERB If a quality or skill that you normally have deserts you, you suddenly find that you do not have it when you need it or want it.[V n] Even when he appeared to be depressed, a dry sense of humour never deserted him...
[V n] She lost the next five games, and the set, as her confidence abruptly deserted her.
Syn:7) VERB If someone deserts, or deserts a job, especially a job in the armed forces, they leave that job without permission.He was a second-lieutenant in the army until he deserted...
[V from n] He deserted from army intelligence last month...
[V n] Young workers are more willing to desert jobs they don't like.
Derived words:desertion N-VARThe high rate of desertion has added to the army's woes...
There were a growing number of desertions from the federal army.
8) PHRASE (feelings) If you say that someone has got their just deserts, you mean that they deserved the unpleasant things that have happened to them, because they did something bad.At the end of the book the child's true identity is discovered, and the bad guys get their just deserts.
English dictionary. 2008.
