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Glite Dictionary
Kara Kum

Kara Kum

8.9
A large desert in Turkmenistan south of the Aral Sea
  • proper noun
translation icon : desierto de Kara Kum
  • The Kara Kum desert covers a large area in Turkmenistan.

Examples

  • The Kara Kum covers about 70 percent of Turkmenistan's land area.

  • Scientists study the unique climate of the Kara Kum to understand desertification.

  • A road trip across the Kara Kum offers stunning views of endless sand dunes.

  • Have you ever visited Kara Kum?

  • A road trip across the Kara Kum offers stunning views of endless sand dunes.

  • The Kara Kum covers about 70 percent of Turkmenistan's land area.

  • Scientists study the unique climate of the Kara Kum to understand desertification.

Synonyms

Karakum Desert
vsKara Kum
6.5

A large dry area of sand in Turkmenistan south of the Aral Sea

is the same place but described mainly as a vast area
Qara Qum
vsKara Kum
9.9

A desert in Turkmenistan south of the Aral Sea with dry sand and few plants

is described for its great extent rather than for dryness
Turkestan Desert
vsKara Kum
7.1

A dry area in Turkmenistan south of the Aral Sea with large areas of sand and few plants

is the specific vast desert itself rather than a regional label

Surface Forms

Kara Kum main

Morphology

Kara + Kum

The toponym 'Kara Kum' is compositionally built (in Turkic languages kara = 'black', kum = 'sand'), so a learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer a literal sense of 'black sand' and therefore a sandy region/desert. Although these elements are not English words and so are unlikely to be known to an average B1 learner in practice, the meaning is transparently derivable from the parts if those parts are understood.

Etymology

Kara Kum comes from Turkic words: Kara meaning 'black' and Kum meaning 'sand'. The name gives the image of dark, wide sand, so it is used for the large desert in Turkmenistan.