thirst
Americannoun
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a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat caused by need of liquid.
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the physical condition resulting from this need, in any of various degrees.
They almost died of thirst.
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strong or eager desire; craving.
a thirst for knowledge.
verb (used without object)
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to feel thirst; be thirsty.
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to have a strong desire.
noun
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a craving to drink, accompanied by a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat
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an eager longing, craving, or yearning
a thirst for knowledge
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has thirstedperfect 3rd person singular
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have thirstedperfect
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have been thirstingperfect progressive
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has been thirstingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is thirstingprogressive 3rd person singular
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thirstingparticiple
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thirstssingular 3rd person
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am thirstingprogressive 1st person singular
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are thirstingprogressive
Past
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had thirstedperfect
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were thirstingprogressive plural
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was thirstingprogressive singular
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had been thirstingperfect progressive
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thirstedparticiple
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thirstedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of thirst
before 900; Middle English thirsten (v.), Old English thyrstan, derivative of thurst (noun); cognate with Dutch dorst, German Durst, Old Norse thorsti, Gothic thaurstei; noun has -i- from the v. or from thirsty; see toast 1
Explanation
Thirst is the sensation of needing or wanting to drink something. Use the same word whether you're talking about your thirst for lemonade on a hot day or the dire thirst of someone lost in a desert without water. At its most serious, thirst can be compared to starvation: "The water shortage is leading to extreme thirst in the poorest parts of the country." You can also use this word for a much milder need, like your cousin's seemingly endless thirst for root beer. Figuratively, to thirst for something is to desire it strongly: "Her thirst for knowledge means she stays up late reading the encyclopedia."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The customers of Thirst for All say they will once again come together to save Diaco, if it is needed.
From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026
Thirst, for example, can increase expectations of drought and desertification.
From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2022
"Decision to Leave" is Park’s fourth film at Cannes, with 2004's "Old Boy" winning the festival’s Grand Prix and "Thirst" tying for the Jury Prize in 2009.
From Reuters • May 24, 2022
Thirst, heat stroke and exhaustion pose serious threats to homeless people around the region.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2021
Thirst, on the other hand, was one of the permanent conditions of life.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
