English Words Starting With D

• desert cooler

  nounC2
  /ˈdɛzət ˈkuːlə/An evaporative cooling device that uses water evaporation to cool air, typically consisting of a water reservoir, a fan, and cooling pads.
• desert culture

  nounC1/C2
  /ˈdez.ət ˈkʌl.tʃər/The social practices, beliefs, technology, and adaptation strategies developed by human societies living in arid or desert environments, characterized by specific subsistence patterns and material culture.
• desert devil

  nounC1/C2
  /ˈdezət ˈdevl/A person or entity operating in, exploiting, or thriving in desert environments, often with connotations of toughness, ruthlessness, or isolation.
• desert elephant

  nounC1/C2
  /ˈdez.ət ˈel.ɪ.fənt/A distinct subspecies of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) adapted to survive in arid desert regions, particularly in Namibia and Mali.
• desert fathers

  plural-nounlow
  /ˈdɛz.ət ˈfɑː.ðəz/A historical term for the early Christian hermits, ascetics, and monks who lived in the deserts of Egypt, Syria, and Palestine from the 3rd century onwards, considered foundational figures in Christian monasticism.
• desert iguana

  nounC2
  /ˈdezət ɪˈɡwɑːnə/A species of lizard native to the arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, characterized by its pale grey or tan colouration with a light brown pattern.
• desert island

  nounB1
  /ˌdezət ˈaɪlənd/A small, uninhabited tropical island.
• desert locust

  nounLow
  /ˌdez.ət ˈləʊ.kəst/A species of grasshopper (Schistocerca gregaria) found in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, notorious for forming massive, destructive swarms when population density triggers a behavioural and physical change (gregarization).
• desert lynx

  nounLow
  /ˈdɛzət lɪŋks/A wild cat species, specifically the caracal, found in arid regions of Africa and Asia.
• desert oak

  nounC1
  /ˌdɛz.ət ˈəʊk/A species of Australian tree (Allocasuarina decaisneana) found in arid regions.
• desert pea

  nounLow Frequency (Domain-Specific)
  /ˈdɛzət piː/A showy, low-growing Australian flowering plant (Swainsona formosa) with distinctive red flowers and dark central blotch, found in arid regions.
• desert rat

  nounC2
  /ˈdez.ət ˌræt/A person who lives or spends much time in a desert, often known for resilience and toughness in arid conditions.
• desert rock

  nounC1
  /ˈdɛz.ət ˌrɒk/A genre of rock music characterized by a slow, heavy, psychedelic sound, often with lyrics evoking themes of isolation, vastness, and the American Southwest.
• desert soil

  nounLow
  /ˈdɛzət sɔɪl/The arid, often infertile ground found in desert regions.
• desert varnish

  nounVery Low
  /ˌdɛzət ˈvɑːnɪʃ/A dark, hard, often shiny coating of iron and manganese oxides and clay minerals that forms on exposed rock surfaces in arid environments over long periods.
• deserter

  nounC1
  /dɪˈzɜːtə(r)/A person who leaves their duty, post, or allegiance without permission and with no intention to return.
• desertification

  nounB2-C1
  /ˌdezətɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.
• desertion

  nounC1
  /dɪˈzɜːʃn/The act of leaving or abandoning a person, place, duty, or organization without permission or justification, especially when one has a responsibility to stay.
• deserve

  verbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveB1
  /dɪˈzɜːv/to be worthy of a particular reward, outcome, or treatment based on one's actions or qualities.
• deserving

  adjectivenounB2
  /dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/Being worthy of something (e.g., praise, reward, attention), typically due to effort, qualities, or actions.

Showing 2461–2480 of 7181 words.