desert island
/ˈdɛzɜːrt ˈaɪlənd/noun phrase★Intermediate— a remote, uninhabited island
informal
an uninhabited island, often used in hypothetical scenarios to discuss survival or solitude
In the movie, the characters were marooned on a desert island for years.
This shows the phrase used in a narrative context about isolation.
💡
Often used in discussions about survival, solitude, or hypothetical situations.
Collocations
stranded on a desert islandto be abandoned or trapped on an uninhabited islanddesert island survivalthe skills or items needed to survive on an uninhabited island
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
This phrase is often used in casual or hypothetical discussions, not in formal or technical writing.
📖Word Origin
From 'desert' (uninhabited) + 'island' (a piece of land surrounded by water). The phrase became popular in survival and hypothetical discussions.
📝Usage Notes
Commonly used in hypothetical questions or survival scenarios, not in formal or technical contexts.
Word Breakdown
desert
uninhabited or barren
rootisland
a piece of land surrounded by water
rootEnglish Dictionary