Word
deserter
Phoneticsde·sert·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɛzɝtɝ/
UK/dɪzˈɜːtɐ/
Countable noun Military
Definition
n. a soldier who leaves their army without permission and does not return. This is a serious crime because it puts the rest of the team in danger.
n. a person who leaves their military post or unit without authority and with the intent to remain away permanently. Often carries a legal or disciplinary connotation.
Examples
“The soldier was labeled a deserter after he fled the camp.”
“During the war, the general issued a warning that any deserter would be treated as a traitor.”
“The historical record shows that while some soldiers were genuine deserters, others simply sought to avoid the horrors of the front lines for a short period before returning to their units.”
Examples
simple
“The soldier was labeled a deserter after he fled the camp.”
contextual
“During the war, the general issued a warning that any deserter would be treated as a traitor.”
complex
“The historical record shows that while some soldiers were genuine deserters, others simply sought to avoid the horrors of the front lines for a short period before returning to their units.”
Real-World Examples
“The professor would be bested by no one—least of all an army deserter .” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin desertor (“deserter”), from desero (“to forsake, to abandon”); or from desert + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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