Etymology Map
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Desert

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a barren, dry area of land

Where does the word "desert" come from? It comes from Late Latin desertum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
desertum
Late Latin · ancient
"abandoned place"
from 'deserere', to abandon
2
Stage 2 of 3
desert
Old French · medieval
"wasteland"
a wilderness abandoned by people
3
Stage 3 of 3
desert
English · 1200s
"wilderness"
'deserts' as what one deserves comes from a different word
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Read the full story

Desert’s story begins in Late Latin: desertum meant “abandoned place.” From 'deserere', to abandon. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as desert. A wilderness abandoned by people. It reached English by 1200s as desert. 'deserts' as what one deserves comes from a different word. Today, desert means a barren, dry area of land.