desire

[dih-zahyuhr]

verb (used with object)

desired, desiring 

1. to wish or long for; crave; want.

   Synonyms: fancy, covet

2. to express a wish to obtain; ask for; request.

   The mayor desires your presence at the next meeting.

   Synonyms: solicit

noun

1. a longing or craving, as for something that brings satisfaction or enjoyment.

   a desire for fame.

   Synonyms: thirst, appetite, hunger, aspiration

2. an expressed wish; request.

3. something desired.

4. sexual appetite or a sexual urge.

desire

/ dɪˈzaɪə /

verb

1. to wish or long for; crave; want

2. to express a wish or make a request for; ask for

noun

1. a wish or longing; craving

2. an expressed wish; request

3. sexual appetite; lust

4. a person or thing that is desired

Other Word Forms

• desiredly adverb
• desiredness noun
• desireless adjective
• desirer noun
• desiringly adverb
• overdesire noun
• self-desire noun
• undesiring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of desire¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English desiren, from Old French desirer, from Latin dēsīderāre; desiderate ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of desire¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see leave a lot to be desired.

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

But in the spirit of politeness and family unity, she acquiesces to Paul’s desire for a nice family Thanksgiving, despite their political differences.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

To write about it is to explore a mainstay of human desire and inevitably to invoke the influence of other books.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It can be better read as Ning’s desire for anonymity—she hasn’t heard anyone call her by her real name in what seems like decades, and she’s good with it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And his desire to build a sporting empire has had a dramatic impact.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Like the other traditionals among the Cheyennes and Lakotas, he had desired simply to follow the old way of life—hunting buffalo, raiding tribal enemies and camping where he wished.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ambition 
• appetite 
• aspiration 
• craving 
• devotion 
• eagerness 
• fascination 
• greed 
• hunger 
• inclination 
• love 
• lust 
• motive 
• need 
• passion 
• thirst 
• will 
• wish 
• yearning 

When To Use

What are other ways to say desire?

To desire something or someone is to crave or long for them. How is desire different from want and wish? Find out on Thesaurus.com.