verb

desire

dih-ZEYE-uh

verb

To want something strongly.

"She desired nothing more than a quiet life by the sea."

"He desired to travel the world before settling down."

noun

A strong feeling of wanting something.

"His desire for success drove him to work long hours."

"There was an obvious desire between them from the first meeting."

How to Use Desire

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA strong want or wish, or the act of strongly wanting something.

Common pairings

a burning desire desire for change sexual desire

Word Forms

desired past tense, desire plural, desired plural, desires plural, desires singular, desire singular, desired singular, desirest singular, desiredst singular, desireth singular

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Can you complete this real example?

She _____ nothing more than a quiet life by the sea.

Etymology

From Old French desirer, from Latin desiderare, "to long for, to feel the want of" — possibly tied to sidus ("star"), as in longing for something once seen in the stars.

Synonyms

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want-to ambition appetite appetition aspiration avidity cacoethes concupiscence craving cupidity dream fondness

Antonyms

apathy contempt disinterest distaste hatred

Related Words

dream substance attention disdain interest want respect goal

Rhymes for desire

ire fire wire tire lire dire hire mire sire afire Zaire spire

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want-to ambition appetite appetition aspiration avidity cacoethes concupiscence craving cupidity dream fondness