Meaning & use
desertlike
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivenot comparable
Resembling a desert, especially in being very dry, barren, or lacking vegetation.
Grammar: It describes a noun and does not usually take comparative forms like 'more desertlike'.
Patterns
- desertlike landscape
- desertlike conditions
- desertlike area
After months without rain, the once-green valley turned into a desertlike landscape.
The scientists studied the desertlike conditions on the island to understand how plants survive there.
The abandoned mining town had a desertlike feel, with dust and empty streets.
Common combinations
- desertlike landscape
- The desertlike landscape stretched for miles without a single tree.
- desertlike conditions
- The desertlike conditions made it hard for the rescue team to find water.
- desertlike area
- They set up camp in a desertlike area where temperatures dropped sharply at night.
- desertlike climate
- The region's desertlike climate means very little rainfall throughout the year.
Synonyms and how they differ
- arid
- Arid means having very little rain, often used for climates; desertlike is more visual and can describe any feature that reminds you of a desert.
- barren
- Barren emphasizes lack of plants and inability to support life; desertlike simply means resembling a desert, which may still have some life.
- parched
- Parched describes something dried out by heat, often temporarily; desertlike suggests a more permanent resemblance to a desert.
Opposites
Practice
Which sentence uses 'desertlike' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Desertlike is an adjective meaning 'resembling a desert', so it can describe conditions. Option A confuses it with 'dessert' (a sweet dish). Option C uses it as an adverb, which is wrong. Option D uses it as a verb, which does not exist.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “desertlike”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.