Search blog

What is Desert? What is Dessert? Distinguishing between Desert and Dessert in English

What is Desert? What is Dessert? Although similarly written, these terms have completely different meanings. Let's learn the concepts and how to accurately distinguish between Desert and Dessert together below!

Distinguish between 2 words Desert and Dessert accurately

I. What is Desert?
1. 1. Definition
2. 2. Words/phrases often associated with Desert
II. What is Dessert?
1. 1. Definition
2. 2. Words/phrases often associated with Dessert
III. Distinguishing between Desert and Dessert in English
IV. Exercises on Desert and Dessert with answers
1. 1. Exercises
2. 2. Answer
V. Start Your IELTS Journey

I. What is Desert?

Before distinguishing between Desert and Dessert, let's explore what Desert means with PREP? How is Desert used and applied to life? Read now!

1. Definition

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Desert functions as a verb and a noun in English sentences. However, each part of speech is used with different meanings. Let's explore through the examples below with PREP!

Desert acts as a noun, meaning: an area, often covered with sand or rocks, where there is very little rain and not many plants. For example: Explorers were lost in the desert for ten days.
Desert functions as a verb, often combined with the preposition “from", meaning: to leave someone or something without help or in a difficult situation; to leave without permission and with no intention of returning. For example:
- Smith deserted his wife and family for another woman.
- How many people desert the army each year?

2. Words/phrases often associated with Desert

Let’s learn some words/phrases often associated with Desert with detailed examples below!

Words/ phrases often associated with Desert	Example
Barren desert	The northeastern part of the plain ran along a barren desert.
Desert landscape	The village is located in the center east of the province, especially in a desert landscape with mountains.
Desert shrub	Desert shrubs can be found in a high temperature area.

II. What is Dessert?

To accurately distinguish between Desert and Dessert in English, let's learn what Dessert means and how Dessert is used and applied in life. Read now!

1. Definition

What is Dessert? According to the Cambridge dictionary, Dessert functions as a noun in a sentence, meaning: sweet food eaten at the end of a meal. For example:

Normally, if my mother makes the main course, I'll make a dessert.
My sister had apple pie with ice cream for dessert.

2. Words/phrases often associated with Dessert

Let’s learn some words/phrases often associated with Dessert with examples!

Words/phrases often associated with Dessert	Example
Dessert cake	My friends baked a delicious chocolate dessert cake for the Birthday party.
Dessert fork	Please set the table with a dessert fork for each guest so they can enjoy their food.
Dessert fruits	The platter of mixed strawberry and sliced kiwi made for a refreshing fruits dessert option.
Dessert plate	After lunch, I placed the empty dessert plate in the sink to be washed.
Dessert spoon	Don't forget to grab a dessert spoon for your ice cream; it's in the drawer.
Dessert wine	A glass of sweet dessert wine pairs perfectly with the cheesecake.
Frozen dessert	The children were excited to have a frozen dessert like ice cream after dinner.
Gelatin dessert	My grandmother's secret recipe for gelatin dessert is always a hit at family gatherings.

III. Distinguishing between Desert and Dessert in English

What are the meanings of Dessert and Desert? How are they used? Let's explore the table below!

Distinguish between Desert and Dessert	Desert	Dessert
Spelling	Desert has only one letter "s"	Dessert has two letters "s"
Part of speech	Nouns and verbs	Noun
Pronunciation and Stress	Desert /ˈdez.ɚt/ (n) ➞ The stress is on the first syllable. Desert /dɪˈzɝːt/ (v) ➞ The stress is on the second syllable.	Dessert /dɪˈzɝːt/ ➞ The stress is on the second syllable.
Meaning	Noun: an area, often covered with sand or rocks, where there is very little rain and not many plants. Verb: to leave someone or something without help or in a difficult situation; to leave without permission and with no intention of returning.	Noun: sweet food eaten at the end of a meal.
Example	Soldiers who deserted and were caught were shot.	I would like an ice scream for a dessert.

Distinguishing between Desert and Dessert in English — Differences between Desert and Dessert in English

IV. Exercises on Desert and Dessert with answers

To further understand the meanings of Desert and Dessert and how to distinguish between them, let's do this exercise together with PREP below!

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the suitable words: Desert or Dessert

For _______, we had a delicious chocolate mousse cake.
She always enjoys a scoop of vanilla ice cream as her favorite _______ .
The Sahara is a vast and arid _______ located in North Africa.
It's important to stay hydrated when exploring the hot and dry _______ regions.
I need to have something for _______ after the meal, anything.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer:

After the meal, they served a plate of fresh fruit salad as a light _______.
1. Dessert
2. Desert
I'm going to bake a homemade apple pie for _______ tonight.
1. Dessert
2. Desert
The restaurant's menu features a variety of tempting _______ like cheesecake and tiramisu.
1. Dessert
2. Desert
The group of adventurers decided to venture into the vast, uncharted _____.
1. Dessert
2. Desert
The lack of water in the _______ makes survival a challenging endeavor.
1. Dessert
2. Desert

2. Answer

Exercise 1	Exercise 2
dessert dessert desert desert dessert	A A A B B

V. Start Your IELTS Journey

PREP hopes this article has helped you understand the concepts, usage, and ways to distinguish between Desert and Dessert. If you need a reliable partner, PREP is here with expert guidance, proven strategies, and unwavering support.

IELTS training online: Turn Your IELTS Goals Into Reality

Master Tu Pham

Founder/CEO at Prep

Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.