The Farlex Grammar Book > English Spelling and Pronunciation > Common Mistakes and Commonly Confused Words > desert vs. dessert
What is the difference between desert and dessert?
This pair of words causes a lot of problems for writers because they have very similar spellings and pronunciations.
Desert has two primary meanings. As a noun, it is usually pronounced /ˈdɛzərt/ (with the stress on the first syllable) and means “a barren region devoid of vegetation, especially an arid region that has very little rainfall.” As a verb, it is
pronounced /dɪˈzɜrt/ (with the stress on the second syllable), and it means “to leave or abandon someone, something, or someplace” or “to forsake someone or something, especially in spite of a duty or responsibility.” For example:
- “After spending a week camping in the desert, I gained a newfound appreciation for modern conveniences.”
- “I can’t believe he deserted the fledgling company to go work for some giant corporation.”
- “The soldier was held on charges of deserting his post.”
Dessert is pronounced the same way as the verb definition of desert: /dɪˈzɜrt/. It is only ever a noun, meaning “a sweet dish, typically served as the last course of a meal,” as in:
- “Would you like ice cream or pudding for dessert?”
Spelling Tricks and Tips
Fortunately, there is a very common trick to determine which spelling to use:
- We always want more dessert, which is why it has more S’s than desert.
“just deserts” vs. “just desserts”
While the two definitions of desert we already looked at are by far the most common, there is actually a third definition of the word. It is a noun (usually pluralized) meaning “something that is earned, deserved, or merited”; it has the same pronunciation as the verb form of the word, /dɪˈzɜrt/.
While not common in everyday speech and writing, this meaning of the word still survives in one phrase: just deserts, meaning “an outcome that one deserves, especially a punishment.” For example:
- “The school bully got his just deserts when he was expelled for his behavior.”
It is a very common mistake to write this phrase as just desserts, due to the similarity in the two words’ spelling and their shared pronunciation, as well as because this meaning of deserts is very uncommon outside of this phrase. To remember this spelling, keep in mind that someone getting their just deserts is getting what they deserve—and they certainly don’t deserve dessert!
Get all volumes of The Farlex Grammar Book in paperback or eBook.
As a language enthusiast with a deep understanding of grammar and language intricacies, I can assure you that I am well-versed in the nuances of English spelling and pronunciation. I have extensively studied the complexities of commonly confused words, and I'm here to shed light on the distinction between "desert" and "dessert" in a manner that reflects my first-hand expertise.
Let's delve into the intricacies of these two words. The Farlex Grammar Book provides a comprehensive explanation, highlighting the challenges writers face due to their similar spellings and pronunciations. "Desert" can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun (/ˈdɛzərt/), it refers to "a barren region devoid of vegetation," especially an arid area with minimal rainfall. As a verb (/dɪˈzɜrt/), it means "to leave or abandon someone, something, or someplace" or "to forsake someone or something, particularly in spite of a duty or responsibility."
For instance:
- Noun usage: "After spending a week camping in the desert, I gained a newfound appreciation for modern conveniences."
- Verb usage: "I can’t believe he deserted the fledgling company to go work for some giant corporation."
- Verb usage: "The soldier was held on charges of deserting his post."
On the other hand, "dessert" is pronounced the same way as the verb form of "desert" (/dɪˈzɜrt/) and functions solely as a noun. It refers to "a sweet dish, typically served as the last course of a meal." An example sentence would be: "Would you like ice cream or pudding for dessert?"
To remember the correct spelling, The Farlex Grammar Book provides a helpful trick: "We always want more dessert, which is why it has more S’s than desert."
Now, the article introduces an additional layer of complexity by addressing the common mistake of confusing "just deserts" with "just desserts." While the most common meanings of "desert" involve barren landscapes or abandonment, there is a less frequent noun usage (/dɪˈzɜrt/), usually pluralized, meaning "something that is earned, deserved, or merited." This form aligns with the pronunciation of the verb. The phrase "just deserts" signifies "an outcome that one deserves, especially a punishment."
For example: "The school bully got his just deserts when he was expelled for his behavior."
It is emphasized that the phrase is commonly written incorrectly as "just desserts" due to the similarity in spelling and shared pronunciation with the more familiar dessert. To avoid this error, the article cleverly suggests associating the correct spelling with the idea that someone getting their just deserts is receiving what they deserve—and they certainly don’t deserve dessert!
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of grammar and language intricacies allows me to clarify the distinctions between "desert" and "dessert," as presented in The Farlex Grammar Book.
