dessert
4 synonyms for dessert, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sweet dish served at the end of a meal.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
afters
sweet course
How to use dessert
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
for dessert
dessert menu
a dessert spoon
Etymology
From French dessert, literally "what is served after clearing the table" — from desservir, "to clear away", the opposite of servir, "to serve".
Full origin of dessert →Frequently asked questions
What does “dessert” mean?
The word “dessert” means a sweet dish served at the end of a meal. In plain terms, the sweet course you eat after the main part of a meal.
How do you pronounce “dessert”?
“Dessert” is pronounced dih-ZURT (/dɪˈzɝt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dessert” in a sentence?
Here is “dessert” used in a sentence: “We had chocolate cake for dessert.”
What part of speech is “dessert”?
“Dessert” is a noun.
Where does the word “dessert” come from?
The word “dessert” comes from French. From French dessert, literally "what is served after clearing the table" — from desservir, "to clear away", the opposite of servir, "to serve".
Is “dessert” a common word?
“Dessert” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between dessert and desert?
Dessert refers to a sweet dish served at the end of a meal, while desert (with one s) refers to a dry, barren region of land or, as a verb, means to abandon someone. The words are spelled and pronounced differently, though they are frequently confused in writing.
What is the difference between dessert and pudding?
Dessert is the general term for a sweet course served at the end of a meal, while pudding is used in British English as an everyday synonym for dessert, referring to the same course regardless of what dish is actually served. In American English, pudding usually refers to a specific creamy dish rather than the whole course.
What are common examples of dessert?
Common desserts include cake, pie, ice cream, pudding, and fruit dishes served after the main part of a meal. The term covers any sweet dish eaten at that point, not a specific recipe.
