Desert vs. Dessert: Sand or Sweets?

The Basics

• Desert (DEZ-ert) = a dry, sandy region
• Desert (di-ZERT) = to abandon
• Dessert (di-ZERT) = the sweet course after a meal

Using Desert (the Place)

“Desert” as a noun means an arid, barren region:

• “The Sahara Desert is vast.” ✓
• “Cacti thrive in the desert.” ✓
• “Desert temperatures can be extreme.” ✓

Using Desert (to Abandon)

“Desert” as a verb means to leave or forsake:

• “Soldiers who desert face serious consequences.” ✓
• “Don’t desert your friends when they need you.” ✓
• “The village was deserted.” ✓

Also in the phrase “just deserts” (what one deserves):

• “He got his just deserts.” ✓

Using Dessert

“Dessert” is the sweet course served after a meal:

• “What’s for dessert?” ✓
• “The chocolate cake was the best dessert I’ve ever had.” ✓
• “She skipped dessert to save room.” ✓

Memory Tricks

• Dessert has two S’s because you always want seconds (SS)
• Desert has one S because it’s barren—there’s less there
• Dessert is “stressed” spelled backward (what you eat when stressed)