desiderate

American

[dih-sid-uh-reyt] / dɪˈsɪd əˌreɪt /

verb (used with object)

desiderated, desiderating

to wish or long for.

desiderate British

/ dɪˈzɪdəˌreɪt /

verb

(tr) to feel the lack of or need for; long for; miss

"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 Word Forms

desideration noun

Etymology

Origin of desiderate

1635–45; < Latin dēsīderātus (past participle of dēsīderāre to long for, require), equivalent to dē- de- + sīder- (stem of sīdus ) heavenly body, constellation + -ātus -ate ¹

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.

Upon my faith, sir," said Campbell, "I cannot render you the service you seem to desiderate.

From Rob Roy — Volume 01 by Scott, Walter, Sir

We should desiderate a closer approach, and not rest till we had found it.

From Meaning of Truth by James, William

Pray, pray, don't think of answering this; it is merely to correct an unfavourable impression in one whose favourable opinion I much desiderate.

From Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character by Ramsay, Edward Bannerman

Certainly, with such a central board in existence as that which we desiderate, no such type of schoolmaster would continue to hold office in a national seminary.

From Leading Articles on Various Subjects by Davidson, John

Their contemplation will still desiderate something beyond all finite being, actual or possible.

From Moral Philosophy by Rickaby, Joseph , S. J.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023