an area, often covered with sand or rocks, where there is very little rain and not many plants

They were lost in the desert for nine days. 他们在沙漠里迷路已经有9天了。

We had to cross a large area of arid, featureless desert. 我们必须穿越一大片干燥荒芜的沙漠。

the desert sun 沙漠里的太阳

a place that is considered to have no cultural, intellectual, etc. quality or interest

This town is a cultural desert. 这个城镇是一片文化沙漠。

It seems strange to think that this bustling, thriving city was once derided as a cultural desert.

Those who didn't know better might be tempted to dismiss the news industry as an intellectual desert.

We live in a moral desert, where people do whatever they want without regard for whether it hurts others.

to leave the armed forces without permission and with no intention of returning

Soldiers who deserted and were caught were shot. 抓回来的逃兵被枪毙了。

How many people desert from the army each year? 每年军队有多少逃兵？

to leave someone without help or in a difficult situation and not come back

He deserted his wife and family for another woman. 他为了另一个女人抛家弃子。

If a quality deserts you, you suddenly and temporarily lose it.

All my confidence/courage deserted me when I walked into the exam. 进入考场后，我的全部信心／勇气都丧失了。