Desert vs Dessert
Published January 19, 2023. Updated January 19, 2023.
Desert and Dessert are some of the most commonly confused verbs in the English language. A desert is a noun that refers to “a barren wasteland with little life and a lack of water.” Dessert is also a noun, yet it is defined as “a sweet treat eaten after a meal.”
Here are some example sentences to help you understand the different uses of each word.
Desert (noun)
A barren wasteland with little life and a lack of water.
Examples:
I sometimes forget that California has massive sections that are miles and miles of desert.
My classroom has been feeling like a desert ever since the air conditioner broke.
Remember that a desert is a hot, lifeless place. It can also be used as a metaphor for a place that feels like a desert!
Dessert (noun)
A sweet treat eaten after a meal.
Examples:
We really should get out of the habit of eating dessert after every meal.
Lately, I have been curbing my cravings for dessert by eating fruit instead.
A dessert is a sweet treat. If you need help remembering the difference between dessert and desert, think about how the two s’s in the word can represent sweet and savory, which can used to describe most desserts!
Main Points
- Desert is a noun that refers to a hot, dry, lifeless wasteland, usually without water.
- Dessert is a noun that refers to a sweet treat enjoyed after a meal.
- Remember that a desert is a place, whereas a dessert is something you can eat.