desire

[ dih-zahyuhr ]

See synonyms for: desire desired desires desiring on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),de·sired, de·sir·ing.

to wish or long for; crave; want.
to express a wish to obtain; ask for; request: The mayor desires your presence at the next meeting.

noun

a longing or craving, as for something that brings satisfaction or enjoyment: a desire for fame.
an expressed wish; request.

something desired.
sexual appetite or a sexual urge.

Origin of desire

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English desiren, from Old French desirer, from Latin dēsīderāre; see desiderate

synonym study For desire

3. Desire, craving, longing, yearning suggest feelings that impel one to the attainment or possession of something. Desire is a strong feeling, worthy or unworthy, that impels to the attainment or possession of something that is (in reality or imagination) within reach: a desire for success. Craving implies a deep and imperative wish for something, based on a sense of need and hunger: a craving for food, companionship. A longing is an intense wish, generally repeated or enduring, for something that is at the moment beyond reach but may be attainable at some future time: a longing to visit Europe. Yearning suggests persistent, uneasy, and sometimes wistful or tender longing: a yearning for one's native land.

Other words for desire

1	covet, fancy
2	solicit
3	aspiration, hunger, appetite, thirst

See synonyms for desire on Thesaurus.com

Other words from desire

de·sired·ly [dih-zahyuhrd-lee, -zahy-rid-], /dɪˈzaɪərd li, -ˈzaɪ rɪd-/, adverb
de·sired·ness, noun
de·sire·less, adjective
de·sir·er, noun
de·sir·ing·ly, adverb
o·ver·de·sire, noun
self-de·sire, noun
un·de·sir·ing, adjective

Words Nearby desire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use desire in a sentence

While liberal in her own beliefs, the speaker has routinely put the needs of her so-called Majority Makers over the desires of the left.
Trump moves closer to Pelosi in economic aid talks, and House speaker must decide next move | Rachael Bade, Erica Werner | September 17, 2020 | Washington Post
Lorson told Voice of San Diego she’s heard some folks mention desire for community forums but is concerned about coronavirus social distancing regulations and said some people may not be comfortable voicing their opinions in a public setting.
Oceanside Is Rethinking Its Police Chief Hiring Process Following Community Concerns | Kayla Jimenez | September 14, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
A massive number of voters are expected to vote by mail, at least partially driven by a desire to avoid contracting the coronavirus.
How Google, Facebook, and Twitter plan to handle misinformation surrounding 2020 presidential election results | Danielle Abril | September 10, 2020 | Fortune
It often feels like one is talking to a human with beliefs and desires.
Welcome to the Next Level of Bullshit - Issue 89: The Dark Side | Raphaël Millière | September 9, 2020 | Nautilus
They evinced a pervasive desire to be involved in shaping solutions in the long-term interests of the organizations.
CEOs should stop worrying and learn to love employee activism | Alison Taylor | September 9, 2020 | Quartz

Obviously, not all the original cast can come back or even have the desire.
Juiciest ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Rumors (and Some Debunked Ones) | Rich Goldstein | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
Like many I spoke to, Williams seemed to desire a reorientation of policing, rather than just a reduction.
Ground Zero of the NYPD Slowdown | Batya Ungar-Sargon | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
This is a testament to the fundamental human—and American—desire to combine place and possibility.
Will Texas Stay Texan? | David Fontana | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But I have no desire to go on casting calls or any of that stuff.
Anastasia Ashley, Surfer-Cum-Model, Rides The Viral Internet Wave | James Joiner | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
“We have always had every desire to let the American public see this movie,” Lynton said.
Inside Sony’s ‘Pineapple Express 2 Drama’: Leaked Emails Reveal Fight Over Stoner Comedy Sequel | William Boot | December 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
With every allusion that Ramona made to the saints' statues, Alessandro's desire to procure one for her deepened.
Ramona | Helen Hunt Jackson
To others the fierce desire for social justice obliterates all fear of a general catastrophe.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen Leacock
As Perker said this, he looked towards the door, with an evident desire to render the leave-taking as brief as possible.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2) | Charles Dickens
"She used to be so well—so bright," said Angela, who also appeared to have the desire to say something kind and comfortable.
Confidence | Henry James
What more could one desire of him, I pray, Than just to hop around and stand for K?
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17) | Various

British Dictionary definitions for desire

desire

/ (dɪˈzaɪə) /

verb(tr)

to wish or long for; crave; want
to express a wish or make a request for; ask for

noun

a wish or longing; craving
an expressed wish; request

sexual appetite; lust
a person or thing that is desired

Origin of desire

C13: from Old French desirer, from Latin dēsīderāre to desire earnestly; see desiderate

Other words from desire

Related adjective: orectic

Derived forms of desire

desirer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with desire

desire

see leave a lot to be desired.

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