Sahara

/sə'hɑ:rə/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Proper noun:
    • The Sahara: The world's largest hot desert, located in Northern Africa. It is characterized by vast expanses of sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and extreme aridity.
Usage Examples
  • Proper noun:
    • The Sahara covers much of North Africa.
    • Crossing the Sahara by camel is a challenging journey.
    • Temperatures in the Sahara can be extremely high during the day and very low at night.
Advanced Usage
  • "Sahara Desert": A common, though technically redundant, compound name used to specify the desert explicitly. ("Desert" is implied in "Sahara").

    • The Sahara Desert is expanding southward due to desertification.
  • Figurative use: Used metaphorically to describe a place or situation that is barren, empty, or devoid of a specific thing.

    • After the party, the fridge was a Sahara of snacks. (This is an idiomatic, creative use.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Saharan (adjective): Of or relating to the Sahara Desert.
    • The Saharan climate is harsh and dry.
Synonyms
  • The Great Desert: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its size.
  • The African Desert: A general descriptor of its location.
Related Phrases
  • "A Saharan crossing": Refers to an expedition or journey across the Sahara.
    • They planned a Saharan crossing for their next adventure.
Related Idioms
  • "A cultural Sahara": An idiom describing a place perceived as lacking in cultural activity or intellectual stimulation.
    • He called the small town a cultural Sahara, with no theaters or bookstores.
Noun
  1. the world's largest desert (3,500,000 square miles) in northern Africa