thirst

American  

[thurst] / θɜrst /

noun

1. a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat caused by need of liquid.

2. the physical condition resulting from this need, in any of various degrees.

   They almost died of thirst.

3. strong or eager desire; craving.

   a thirst for knowledge.

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verb (used without object)

1. to feel thirst; be thirsty.

2. to have a strong desire.

thirst British  

/ θɜːst /

noun

1. a craving to drink, accompanied by a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat

2. an eager longing, craving, or yearning

   a thirst for knowledge

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verb

1. (intr) to feel a thirst

   to thirst for a drink

   to thirst after righteousness

Other Word Forms

• thirster noun
• unthirsting adjective

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; toast ¹

Example Sentences

Dozens of sessions were held addressing how the gas sector can help satisfy AI's insatiable thirst for electricity, or how AI-driven software can, in turn, help the sector optimize its production.

From Barron's

But if you thirst for a sober-minded investigation into this ominous tool — one with an approach that treats you like the intelligent being you are — you’ll have to wait for AI doc 2.0.

From Los Angeles Times

Hopes that China’s thirst for foreign reds would return were dashed in May, when, as part of a continuing austerity drive, Beijing explicitly banned the consumption of alcohol at Chinese government and Communist Party events.

From The Wall Street Journal

Perhaps the spluttering German economy and its current thirst for US energy were on Merz's mind.

From BBC

Somehow, the water I had drunk at the stream had managed to satisfy my hunger as well as my thirst.

From Literature

Related Words

• appetite
• desire
• eagerness
• hankering
• hunger
• longing
• lust
• passion
• yearning