Dessert Definition: Sweet Final Dish with Examples

Meaning 1：sweet final dish (dessert)

dessert 🔊

/dɪˈzɜːrt/

A sweet dish eaten at the end of a meal, such as cake, ice cream, or fruit.

sweet final dish 🔊

➕

/swiːt ˈfaɪnəl dɪʃ/

A sweet course served at the end of a meal, typically including cakes, pies, ice cream, or fruit.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From French 'desservir' (to clear the table), from des- (removal) + servir (to serve).

💡 Mnemonic

Dessert has two S's because you always want Seconds. Sweet Satisfaction!

📖 Example

After we finished our pizza, the waiter brought over the dessert menu, and my sister immediately chose the chocolate lava cake. 🔊 After we finished our pizza, the waiter brought over the dessert menu, and my sister immediately chose the chocolate lava cake.

🔗 Collocations

have dessert – To eat a sweet dish after a meal

dessert menu – The list of sweet dishes offered by a restaurant

rich dessert – A dessert that is heavy in cream, sugar, or chocolate

🔄 Synonyms

sweet (n.) – A sweet food such as candy or dessert, especially in British English

pudding (n.) – A type of dessert, often baked or steamed, or the dessert course in general

treat (n.) – Something special that you eat, often sweet and served as a reward or indulgence

🚫 Antonyms

appetizer (n.) – A small dish served before the main meal

main course (n.) – The primary and heaviest dish of a meal

🌱 Derivatives

dessertspoon (n.) – A spoon used for eating desserts

dessert wine (n.) – A sweet wine typically served with or as dessert

📖 Cultural Story

Originally meant 'last course after clearing the table' in French, introduced to English in the 17th century. The shift from 'clearing' to the sweet course itself reflects dining customs.