Deserted
dɪˈzɜːrtɪd
Definitions
2 meaningsAbandoned or empty, typically of people.
dɪˈzɜːrtɪd
Abandoned or empty
The deserted streets echoed with silence after the evacuation.
💡 Simply: Imagine a playground where everyone has gone home. It’s deserted—no kids, no swings, just empty.
👶 For kids: When a place is deserted, it means nobody is there! Like a park with no kids playing.
More Examples
The old castle stood deserted, its windows like vacant eyes.
We found a deserted beach, perfect for a quiet afternoon.
How It's Used
"The explorers crossed the deserted island looking for signs of civilization."
"The story depicted a deserted town, once bustling with life, now silent and empty."
Left and abandoned (used as the past tense of "desert")
dɪˈzɜːrtɪd
Left someone or something
The old car was deserted in the junkyard for years
💡 Simply: Like when your friends ditch you to go see a movie without you. You feel deserted!
👶 For kids: When you're playing and your friends all go away, you've been deserted.
More Examples
The captain deserted the sinking ship to save himself.
The family deserted their home due to the rising floodwaters.
How It's Used
"The soldier deserted his post during the night."
"After years of marriage, she felt deserted by her husband's lack of attention."
From the Old French word "deserter" (to abandon), derived from the Latin "desertus," past participle of "deserere" (to abandon).
The word 'deserted' has been used in English since the 16th century, initially referring to military abandonment and later expanding to other forms of abandonment.
Memory tip
Think of a dessert, which might be left deserted after a meal if people are full.