Meaning & use
desk
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Meanings
nouncountable
A table, often with drawers, used for writing, reading, or working.
Grammar: Countable: a desk, two desks.
Patterns
- sit at a desk
- work at a desk
- desk job
She sat at her desk and started typing.
The teacher's desk is at the front of the room.
He keeps his papers in the desk drawer.
nouncountable
A service counter in a hotel, office, or similar place where guests or customers are helped.
Grammar: Often used in compounds like 'front desk' or 'help desk'.
Patterns
- front desk
- help desk
- reception desk
Please leave your key at the front desk.
The help desk is on the second floor.
Word forms
| plural | desks |
|---|
Common combinations
- desk job
- He prefers a desk job to working outdoors.
- desk lamp
- She turned on the desk lamp to read.
- desk drawer
- The keys are in the desk drawer.
- front desk
- The front desk is open 24 hours.
- desk clerk
- The desk clerk handed him his room key.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- desktop noun
- The top of a desk, or a computer that sits on a desk.
Commonly confused: desk or disk?
desk vs disk
Disk is a storage device or a flat round object; desk is furniture.
Practice
Where would you typically find a 'help desk'?
Choose one answer.
A help desk is a service counter, often in a hotel or office. The other places are unlikely.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “desk”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.